tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-89169258646374140812024-02-02T04:33:12.143-08:00No RegretsJust a small glimpse into the best, worst, and most ridiculous moments of one mom's journey.Nap Momhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06576022596416170858noreply@blogger.comBlogger641125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8916925864637414081.post-16622592180791017782013-11-06T11:40:00.003-08:002013-11-06T11:40:53.684-08:00Boo!<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Some of my family members received this "teaser" picture earlier in the month.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">That is, Lulu took these parts to make her own Halloween costume. These family members have been waiting patiently to see the final result. {{Thank you for your patience!}} </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"></span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeW2OsILmKjuFaLyeook-OvbqOTzeJ2RdrKswPMDQ7Xc_uFUwlMM1nquiF_Q-oO61_QvkOwThwpVH1PreW4d3gqk8Qmdh5ms82snmdbJVHi3SG7Hu0_-q_j9ZgEHqW4_f7XPk6nYws57E/s1600/boo+costume.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="356" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeW2OsILmKjuFaLyeook-OvbqOTzeJ2RdrKswPMDQ7Xc_uFUwlMM1nquiF_Q-oO61_QvkOwThwpVH1PreW4d3gqk8Qmdh5ms82snmdbJVHi3SG7Hu0_-q_j9ZgEHqW4_f7XPk6nYws57E/s640/boo+costume.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></div>
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The goal was to make a costume based off of a character named, "Boo" in <em>Monsters Inc</em> (see inspirational pic below, on left). The picture on the right is the only picture I have of the finished project. {{sad face}} Nonetheless, she loved the costume and all of her friends knew who she was. WIN! I am delighted that she made the whole thing herself... it gave me such joy to see her sitting at the kitchen table with a glue gun in her hand. You know what they say... "the apple doesn't fall far from the tree." Right???</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"></span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSm8cG1k2-ESNjafimgWkzdYBrnYZ_uDFBwyMyNgSbfTWLbK2x1BSk8c95Xwul4zoL6GdB-pdykVzvT2Up7SSF2FyrF6CA-p6J0V-P1Lo2h_GlxQN0Z2soI7c6GwpdneagF_0gY8RRC6E/s1600/boo+monsters+inc.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSm8cG1k2-ESNjafimgWkzdYBrnYZ_uDFBwyMyNgSbfTWLbK2x1BSk8c95Xwul4zoL6GdB-pdykVzvT2Up7SSF2FyrF6CA-p6J0V-P1Lo2h_GlxQN0Z2soI7c6GwpdneagF_0gY8RRC6E/s320/boo+monsters+inc.png" width="279" /></span></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVtQ-vNBV8R4n8WiYsZvbv0BzDETp2P7O_IACKVXZBJO3U1ydAEOPuBcQgrRDNlCrhLE54TQq_ONgTJADEuLbZu6Be59aW_ZWppXA1tDfZs_qUI6Zk1Ncr7naCB6bccpKGBFTPIvksIvI/s1600/EM+halloween+2013+.PNG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVtQ-vNBV8R4n8WiYsZvbv0BzDETp2P7O_IACKVXZBJO3U1ydAEOPuBcQgrRDNlCrhLE54TQq_ONgTJADEuLbZu6Be59aW_ZWppXA1tDfZs_qUI6Zk1Ncr7naCB6bccpKGBFTPIvksIvI/s400/EM+halloween+2013+.PNG" width="226" /></span></a></div>
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Another highlight of my life right now is... wait for it... my dehydrator. Most recently I bought a mixed fruit bowl for a large family gathering and we never opened the bowl while we were there. This left us with gobs of leftover fruit at home... and no one was motivated to dig into the fruit bowl. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Guess what? I cut it all up into small pieces and threw it in the dehydrator and my family INHALED it the very next morning. This is great because (1) it didn't go to waste, (2) it will last for a very long time, and (3) the kids are still eating fruit without feeling like they are "eating fruit." WIN!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I threw some fruit chips in their lunch containers, at their request. Here is Bro's sandwich, crackers, and pineapple chip snacks!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"></span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpQxXKa9EKCAbVXzcNQ4frn00bb7Qo9mmkdqfjwB2Frn3NULqMYZL03j3PSBw9Jj9hGpaseSAoFMdLzR84IuLeD_P0yGaKfxlq0CHIwTLQADzpu48u4H_QuQxrkzByBGgvDOMuPUQInpE/s1600/lunch+2013.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="223" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpQxXKa9EKCAbVXzcNQ4frn00bb7Qo9mmkdqfjwB2Frn3NULqMYZL03j3PSBw9Jj9hGpaseSAoFMdLzR84IuLeD_P0yGaKfxlq0CHIwTLQADzpu48u4H_QuQxrkzByBGgvDOMuPUQInpE/s400/lunch+2013.jpg" width="400" /></span></a></div>
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I'll be making homemade apple chips for the third fall party this season. They are always a hit, and I totally got my money's worth out of the dehydrator. I love it when a good plan comes together like this!</span><br />
Nap Momhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06576022596416170858noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8916925864637414081.post-11441636706664042172013-10-24T09:33:00.001-07:002013-10-24T09:46:43.046-07:00Lunch<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">We didn't have much success with the garden this year due to (1) the deer eating our stuff and (2) then we weren't motivated to water what was left of the garden. Some little carrots did manage to survive and the kids picked them this week. </span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Here's a picture of Bro's little snack pack he takes to school. I pack two separate food bags for him: (1) snack and (2) lunch. Since lunch is not until 1:20, the kids eat snack in the classroom each day. Here is his little snack on the day he took his carrots. He was so darn proud of these carrots! </span></div>
<div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgF2J3Io6UcAQc5uu2dQXSzhgG6NJV1pdZkVc97S2V5YUFEPTOOo6oaokUuPTyLn489xBpmUOjvDs1OK-URkgRrDQ9vmCai3gQLSJ5NgQ1WCxSXanSsd7TkQWsbq5FWq91spdU-vWS8c_g/s1600/lunch+1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="223" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgF2J3Io6UcAQc5uu2dQXSzhgG6NJV1pdZkVc97S2V5YUFEPTOOo6oaokUuPTyLn489xBpmUOjvDs1OK-URkgRrDQ9vmCai3gQLSJ5NgQ1WCxSXanSsd7TkQWsbq5FWq91spdU-vWS8c_g/s400/lunch+1.jpg" width="400" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">Carrots; ranch dressing; orange-yogurt covered pretzels; and peanut, butter, and jelly mini-sandwich.</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Speaking of lunch, I had to make this little chart (below) and put it the cabinet so I can pull it out when I make lunches. It never fails that once a week I am sending one kid to school with a lunch item that he/she does not like. Hopefully, this will avoid the confusion. I'm not so concerned about Bri since her school offers snack to the kids (but she insists that I pack her her own snack), but there are no other options for Bro.</span></div>
<div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Here is my preliminary list for your viewing pleasure. If it's blank, then they don't like that snack. </span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDbiN12dLhdQpFElJkaemv_K42JmZ2kb2xqr0fRL3F-oK79WqCmxDOKLK0E6JVOw_1XBGYI9wqkb_nscXmiLarOHm3kcRTUUi6VJS3BCI7cyQfPQGWVv-KkRtG-FmNmz6DlLNdgVT_7iU/s1600/Snack+List.PNG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDbiN12dLhdQpFElJkaemv_K42JmZ2kb2xqr0fRL3F-oK79WqCmxDOKLK0E6JVOw_1XBGYI9wqkb_nscXmiLarOHm3kcRTUUi6VJS3BCI7cyQfPQGWVv-KkRtG-FmNmz6DlLNdgVT_7iU/s640/Snack+List.PNG" width="444" /></a></div>
<div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I'm sure I will be adding to this list as time goes on.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Do you have any other lunch tips I need to know about???</span></div>
<div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
Nap Momhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06576022596416170858noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8916925864637414081.post-53339425283312473372013-10-11T10:15:00.005-07:002013-10-11T10:17:19.071-07:00What I'm Loving?<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><strong><em>Sometimes</em></strong> I am so easy to please {{emphasis on <em>sometimes</em>}}...</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Many folks in my State were upgraded to this new recycling can (see below). It is (1) extremely large, (2) on wheels, and (3) with a lid.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">What does a girl have to do to get one of these cans? Really? They gave them out for a pilot project years and years ago... and it must have gone well because they have been rolling them out ever since... but NOT in my neighborhood. My husband goes to the dump... like... a few times a week... every single week... for years. They know him by name... and he knows THEM! But, they cannot issue him an upgraded recycling can. This is beyond crazy!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Well, everyone in my neighborhood had one of these shiny new bins when I got home the other day!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">HALLELUJAH!!!!!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">It's the little things folks. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"></span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Y28squbkeTs/UlgsQ6ExeXI/AAAAAAAAFYk/L9VMpNcrUc4/s1600/trash+can.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Y28squbkeTs/UlgsQ6ExeXI/AAAAAAAAFYk/L9VMpNcrUc4/s640/trash+can.jpg" width="356" /></span></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Moving on.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Dishwasher Troubles</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">We have dishwasher troubles in my house. That is, we (Dear Husband and I) cannot agree on when to run the dishwasher. At what point do you know that it is time to run the dishwasher?</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Dear Husband's system: Run the dishwasher when it is so very full that you could not even slide one more knife into the tray or on the rack... it has to be filled to the rim. If there is any room at all for any type of dish or utensil, then you wait until you have dirtied that dish/utensil and placed it in the dishwasher. Never ever... under any circumstances... run the dishwasher until it is filled to the top.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Mommy's system: Run the dishwasher when (A) you start running out of certain types of dishes <strong><u><em>and</em></u></strong> (B) the dishwasher is at least 3/4 full. Both A and B have to be present. In all reality, this is what happens... we run out of spoons, or spatulas, or knives... and I am in the kitchen on a busy weekday morning and someone {{Dear Husband}} filled the dishwasher with the last of certain dishes but did not RUN the dishwasher. So, that leaves me to pull old and crusty dishes from the <span style="background-color: #f3f3f3;">dishwasher and clean them and dry them (on a busy weekday morning) so that I can start to prepare breakfast for the day. IT IS MADDENING! JUST-RUN-THE-DISHWASHER!</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"></span><br />
<span style="background-color: #eeeeee; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">You may be asking<span style="background-color: #f3f3f3;"> yourself, "Napmom - why</span> don't you just run the dishwasher yourself?"</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: #eeeeee;">Answer: I cannot do that because Dear</span> Husband will hear it and run over and either (1) stop it or (2) give me his I'm-irritated-because-you-waste-money look. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">However, the answer to my prayers is upon us my friends.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">We <span style="background-color: #f3f3f3;">upgraded our dishwasher to a used model that someone was giving away. And, look at the luxury feature on this</span> new model... look closely... it is a "delay" feature. I can "delay" the start of the dishwasher for a time later in the day when he will not be home! WHOA!!!!!!!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"></span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-quyuI-9VARY/UlgsRkNKAuI/AAAAAAAAFY8/1TwvlYxHcS8/s1600/dishwasher.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="356" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-quyuI-9VARY/UlgsRkNKAuI/AAAAAAAAFY8/1TwvlYxHcS8/s640/dishwasher.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">So, one random morning this week I set the "delay" for 2-hours later... and, yes, I took a picture of it for ya!!! I came home to clean dishes and put them away and Dear Husband has NO IDEA that I ran the dishwasher when it was only mostly full! And, I had plenty of clean dishes to use for breakfast the next morning! <span style="background-color: #f3f3f3;">LAAAAAA!!!!</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">It's the little things folks!</span><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
Nap Momhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06576022596416170858noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8916925864637414081.post-55841920016708114662013-10-08T09:01:00.000-07:002013-10-08T09:01:18.726-07:00Star Wars and a Surprise Project<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">For goodness sakes... we have a Star Wars fan in our house.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Little Baby Bee has a friend at daycare whose whole family loves Star Wars. She told me she wants to be a "white trooper" (also known as a storm trooper) for Halloween.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The costume arrived in the mail and I cannot get it off of her. She wears it for breakfast, to nap in, to play in. NO - she does not wear it to Sunday School... but she would if she could.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">She talks to anyone and everyone about Star Wars. It is all consuming!!!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">If you didn't hear, October 5 was <strong>Star Wars Reads Day</strong>. Our local library held an event and we went, not knowing what to expect.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">We had a BLAST!!!!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">There was plenty for the kids to do.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"></span><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8KEqBN5e3w2x3lWUpkCcr9cAGagiWQE3EPDZYi6ddf4-7feXV-C-BFs-7pJ-poZSEhaba6WPdz9UlcDTERY2Hl4GrQnCT4KOOivzQKLgTSenRf2_OeAu6q1ydJxFkTn-7lekoiXsfes4/s1600/star+wars+b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="223" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8KEqBN5e3w2x3lWUpkCcr9cAGagiWQE3EPDZYi6ddf4-7feXV-C-BFs-7pJ-poZSEhaba6WPdz9UlcDTERY2Hl4GrQnCT4KOOivzQKLgTSenRf2_OeAu6q1ydJxFkTn-7lekoiXsfes4/s400/star+wars+b.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Vintage figurines. Oh - I soooooooo remember these guys.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">When we first arrived we met a very life-like R2-D2. I mean... this was practically the real deal folks. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana;"></span><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnXt2fqxFzoApVXX3Hcg433jSs_f9YUsITaimY9iQFll6LxXeeNQ-eiQxk-8kKpPdGCXVBijVhqGbZvsGDF4Ti5BxRB3_LcitAb5oetNQfImxWyE9QgIn8TX44DQGZESr3k6fJSQJYgBE/s1600/star+wars+3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnXt2fqxFzoApVXX3Hcg433jSs_f9YUsITaimY9iQFll6LxXeeNQ-eiQxk-8kKpPdGCXVBijVhqGbZvsGDF4Ti5BxRB3_LcitAb5oetNQfImxWyE9QgIn8TX44DQGZESr3k6fJSQJYgBE/s400/star+wars+3.jpg" width="223" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Bro and his Chewbacca puppet.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Then, we relaxed, played some games, made an origami Yoda, and read some books.</span><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-zxEQayhKEdUfIOvr1oz3rvvy0Ux6UECiSKLWBj7nt5dLOqn_vghcxoekN53MfszhoDULG4-Ia-nf6eToKBHokGf-IBnRcd4m8BAavLH__daN5EiPaT7NjdyPkAD45ZIC3H-9665fKwo/s1600/star+wars+a.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-zxEQayhKEdUfIOvr1oz3rvvy0Ux6UECiSKLWBj7nt5dLOqn_vghcxoekN53MfszhoDULG4-Ia-nf6eToKBHokGf-IBnRcd4m8BAavLH__daN5EiPaT7NjdyPkAD45ZIC3H-9665fKwo/s400/star+wars+a.jpg" width="223" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Finally, the storm troopers and Darth Vader arrived. At first, Bee wanted me to hold her for the pics. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana;"></span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTCR0t76uE2GGtqcg2lMDLHRuEOSDOEIkvvFALdf-21ESfhg-CdLFx6WLGjft7_cYnXHwPPiD_o0icLOtTlGTZzol_bI1OECo9cuZAB-0MWQyq7hctu2tuo3alX7jAQ1mGlRTJia-iD6U/s1600/star+wars+d.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTCR0t76uE2GGtqcg2lMDLHRuEOSDOEIkvvFALdf-21ESfhg-CdLFx6WLGjft7_cYnXHwPPiD_o0icLOtTlGTZzol_bI1OECo9cuZAB-0MWQyq7hctu2tuo3alX7jAQ1mGlRTJia-iD6U/s400/star+wars+d.jpg" width="223" /></a></div>
<br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">But, then she found the courage to face Dark Vader alone!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana;"></span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSyLB3lh9p11SR4pAEwiURjMgSX8uAy98dF8YWQ03rcuE7bQD5OR8CTlSauSzwPEqyNOhhEIndvexms7jJgAeShnwr3YML5UEji1kpIO-wh3UJmY_JatMsBbk4qKT9s4G77vAiv52r6K0/s1600/star+wars+reads+day.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSyLB3lh9p11SR4pAEwiURjMgSX8uAy98dF8YWQ03rcuE7bQD5OR8CTlSauSzwPEqyNOhhEIndvexms7jJgAeShnwr3YML5UEji1kpIO-wh3UJmY_JatMsBbk4qKT9s4G77vAiv52r6K0/s400/star+wars+reads+day.jpg" width="223" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I cannot even begin to tell you how much fun Bee had taking pictures and visiting with the characters. She was literally <strong><em>star struck</em></strong>!</span> <br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">She refused to leave the library and threw a fit like I was dragging her out of Disney World. On the way out the door, Darth Vader stopped to shake her hand. She asked me to hold her so she could get closer to his face. When she got close, he gave her a high five and then said (in a real Darth Vader voice) "The force is strong with this one."</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">WHAT???? She lifted her face mask and gave him the biggest smile I have ever seen. She was speechless!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">What a great event and we will definitely be sure to go back next year!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">When we got home, I found Dear Husband in the back yard <strike>building an ice rink</strike> with a tiller. What is he doing? You'll never guess. Stay tuned!</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHP8PDvzwz3Om49dI0EoP6JP23k5DHORt-5S-Ck8JcbFBxdnQvYDJ7tijzwB5gxzYxKqyZtu-mYEsYrWgwHMBb2p2YQXWkHALvTBlnV9pFOr38Y_z-spx4KGeNhRroCjA4hHOEFw5I_l0/s1600/project+1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="358" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHP8PDvzwz3Om49dI0EoP6JP23k5DHORt-5S-Ck8JcbFBxdnQvYDJ7tijzwB5gxzYxKqyZtu-mYEsYrWgwHMBb2p2YQXWkHALvTBlnV9pFOr38Y_z-spx4KGeNhRroCjA4hHOEFw5I_l0/s640/project+1.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
Nap Momhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06576022596416170858noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8916925864637414081.post-64604665030278300122013-09-24T10:44:00.004-07:002013-09-24T10:44:53.459-07:00Moving Right Along<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Let's see... I just answered an automated call from Bro's school. </span><br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">"This is an important message regarding your child's attendance at school today. {{Enter name here}} was late to school today. Please call the office if you have any questions regarding this message."</span></blockquote>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I immediately called Dear Husband.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Me: I just got an automated message from bro's school and it said that he was late for school.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Dear Husband: Yes, he was late today.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Me: Oh... um... okay... why was he late today?</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Dear Husband: Because I called the radio station to talk to the radio people and the kids wanted to stay in the car and hear me on the radio.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Me: Ok. {{enter confused look here}}</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Did that just happen to me? Yes, it did.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">In other news, yes, Lulu loves her new school. She has called it, "enchanting" and "perfect." The girls are so so so very nice and the teachers are just as helpful as we had hoped. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Most recently, her french teacher made up a "game" for her. It's not really a game, but she loved lining up the flash cards in each verb family. I'm just grateful that she is studying... or whatever you call this. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"></span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXuP8sygF3XldaMHs9Ib61J3iaz9kpuamsplVJ-z08CoAcIQasBssWH7KyfYTOlbQU8WlcdhqAtuYBDpGDuMCQBaTrheeCJqSyB4_wBGYOcOsr3AUTbaUqxAPZ81Dt_TOmrqf8loQog6k/s1600/french.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXuP8sygF3XldaMHs9Ib61J3iaz9kpuamsplVJ-z08CoAcIQasBssWH7KyfYTOlbQU8WlcdhqAtuYBDpGDuMCQBaTrheeCJqSyB4_wBGYOcOsr3AUTbaUqxAPZ81Dt_TOmrqf8loQog6k/s1600/french.jpg" height="400" width="223" /></span></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Yes, Baby Bee <strike>smudges my clean windows</strike> cleans my windows for me every single weekend. Sweetie pie!</span>Nap Momhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06576022596416170858noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8916925864637414081.post-40539162134588694282013-09-21T07:05:00.000-07:002013-09-21T07:05:01.010-07:00Family Time<br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Oh my goodness. Lulu has been asking to go to the Rennaissance Festival with us for a few years now and we finally made a point to go. A great and fabulous time was had by all. I wish I had more pictures to share, but I was enjoying living in the moment... so these will have to do.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> </span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhc699ELqrBcZjBwd7VeioqGFMLktvEOetRw7eTWGYkdCMiFuFF7LptxQCaXHHYqHvNTrxf1rjpSC1-avKqYBIneQ-ZVUThE9xFyQShS3Tc8MXftwZTaO1Pr_7VyCZlzXUd_-1RJ8RfLEQ/s1600/ren+fair.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhc699ELqrBcZjBwd7VeioqGFMLktvEOetRw7eTWGYkdCMiFuFF7LptxQCaXHHYqHvNTrxf1rjpSC1-avKqYBIneQ-ZVUThE9xFyQShS3Tc8MXftwZTaO1Pr_7VyCZlzXUd_-1RJ8RfLEQ/s1600/ren+fair.jpg" height="400" width="223" /></span></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">We ate great food and watched fab shows. Lulu really enjoyed the final show featuring the King and Queen since she had been looking for them in the crowd all day long. Bee's favorite act was the "Wheel of Death" - no, I'm not kidding.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">We arrived in the middle of the day and closed the place down. However, Daddy has been eyeing this strong man challenge during our last few visists, but he's never tried it out. Folks - I have seen some very beefy and macho men step up the the challenge and then never hit the thing hard enough to make it ring the bell. It's embarrassing.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Gulp!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Nonetheless, Daddy decided to give it a try and, unbeknownst to me, had plans to win keepsake prize necklaces for each kid. That means, he had to reach the desired achievement level <strong><em>three seperate times</em></strong> to get a necklace for each kid. GULP!</span> <br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYZ-dmU-eu36xYabvaV489nNiTax0hzg1XY2qUVCG89CyXbPwrJFAnpu7UGRxZE47BpZNVmF2epawOx64S6nf3X99Vi_jR3aPIju9ubNh9aVn5TAg3Ij__2nyFstIAFNfbTXkbC-KK7l0/s1600/ren+fair+3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYZ-dmU-eu36xYabvaV489nNiTax0hzg1XY2qUVCG89CyXbPwrJFAnpu7UGRxZE47BpZNVmF2epawOx64S6nf3X99Vi_jR3aPIju9ubNh9aVn5TAg3Ij__2nyFstIAFNfbTXkbC-KK7l0/s1600/ren+fair+3.jpg" height="400" width="223" /></span></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"></span> </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"></span> </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Whoa - ladies... when you see your man step up the the strong man challenge and totally BLOW it AWAY while your kids are watching... well, that, my friends, can melt a woman's heart. </span></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> </span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZixfoF8jJHduLYnwh9eTp9x9Xo75egVpZhvgERuPDqsQuXcf3UEp6IQyv1BLF-4i3Dey3rPopd_50EOBuYAKRqFYa_NNkyhkcJvd41LszV3PGLL_6rsc6-nzeIQ0PaV50_-X0owyPn1M/s1600/ren+fair+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZixfoF8jJHduLYnwh9eTp9x9Xo75egVpZhvgERuPDqsQuXcf3UEp6IQyv1BLF-4i3Dey3rPopd_50EOBuYAKRqFYa_NNkyhkcJvd41LszV3PGLL_6rsc6-nzeIQ0PaV50_-X0owyPn1M/s1600/ren+fair+2.jpg" height="223" width="400" /></span></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">He came back with necklaces for two kids and then <em>so very nonchalently</em> turned to our teen and asked if she wanted one too. She politely declined. LOL! I was shocked that he so easily rang the bell, but he said, "Mommy - I chop my own </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">wood. This is easy. Next time you will need to spot me a $100 bill so I can really impress you." LOL! I guess we'd better start saving.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial;">Today, I am volunteering at the beer garden at the Ren Fest as part of a fundraiser for Lulu's school. We have 16 volunteers from the school and I guess we will be serving ujp beer all day long... and then the school keeps part of ths profits??? I'm not quite sure how that works. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial;">Here's to family fun!!!!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial;">Talk to you soon,</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial;">Napmom</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial;"></span><br />
Nap Momhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06576022596416170858noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8916925864637414081.post-43017635588593627782013-09-20T07:05:00.000-07:002013-09-20T07:05:05.540-07:00Transitions<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Whoa! I have three kids in three schools in two different parts of the county and no one can take a bus. Thus, Daddy chauffers in the morning and Mommy gets the afternoon shift. How long is the commute? Well, it goes something like this: leave my office, walk to car (a block away), drive to get Bee, go in and gather her and her stuff, get in car, drive to get Lulu, wait for her to get to me (depending on her commitment, this could be a 15-minute wait), drive to get Bro, get in and get bro and his gear, drive home. All in all, this takes an hour and 45 minutes. Many days, Fairy Grandmother (who lives very close to me), will get Bro. This saves me 45 minutes. SWEET!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The evening consists of unpacking and cleaning lunch containers, cooking and cleaning up from dinner, and prepping for the following day. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Look at the picture below. Do you see the large mound of dishes? I am not kidding you when I tell you that this pile mostly consists of: containers from their lunches and a few items from preppring dinner. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Folks - our dinner consisted of spinach dip, leftover pizza, carrots, and edamame. So, what this really means is that... most of this pile is JUST the pile from their lunches. On the nights that I cook a real dinner, this pile is twice as large.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Is anyone else shocked by this? Thank goodness I only have lunches for two of the three kids. I am partly tempted to just go with disposable storage (juice boxes and baggies) but I just cannot bring myself to create that much trash every single day. Ugh!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"></span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrYHoEC87KY73dHxHn-fOAHg-6_VylfkBi1q39KeDrrMZ8nakBS0FAF47b_j6cYWY2HUoWVHiat-Xgyq0WEW3rro4J-iJO4YE-pyOPnx2YM4734XWqXFWfg5viiTUEulR05_wGxk-uCpQ/s1600/dishes.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrYHoEC87KY73dHxHn-fOAHg-6_VylfkBi1q39KeDrrMZ8nakBS0FAF47b_j6cYWY2HUoWVHiat-Xgyq0WEW3rro4J-iJO4YE-pyOPnx2YM4734XWqXFWfg5viiTUEulR05_wGxk-uCpQ/s1600/dishes.jpg" height="223" width="400" /></span></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">See - I told you... look at this dinner. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"></span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVNG43dLXw_sCXUobtGO3raYkVB0qxOLlS3d-ovvE86XI5cNKjySL6fRqIRK17eKk18Veh1k4v8xv6ZkwI02ALN42doOdZXjxkE-MTT2aNvtMQXgw-_IbB9Z0S-WRGWTN8zMISEiVxZag/s1600/dinner.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVNG43dLXw_sCXUobtGO3raYkVB0qxOLlS3d-ovvE86XI5cNKjySL6fRqIRK17eKk18Veh1k4v8xv6ZkwI02ALN42doOdZXjxkE-MTT2aNvtMQXgw-_IbB9Z0S-WRGWTN8zMISEiVxZag/s1600/dinner.jpg" height="223" width="400" /></span></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> </span></div>
<div align="left" class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Funny story. See those edamames up there? Edamame is pronounced "eda-<u>mommy</u>" but Bee calls them "eda-<u>mommas</u>" instead of "mommy" and for some reason I think this is adorable. When she is really showing off, she will call them "eda-daddas." BWAAAAA!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Yes, I know you want to know how school is going. Well, Bro loves his teacher and his new friends and learning, but he is having a hard time transitioning in the morning.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I had to send this note to the principal today:</span><br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">Dear {{Principal}}: </span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;"></span> </div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">Thank you for taking my call this morning. My concern is that my new Kindergartener, {{Bro}}, is have a difficult time transitioning to school in the morning. He has a great time during school and he loves his teachers and the new friends he is meeting, but this morning transition is difficult for him.<br /><br /> {{Bro}} comes from a preschool environment and it has been his habit to watch Daddy drive away and wave to Daddy from his classroom window every morning. After Kindergarten orientation, last Spring, {{Bro's}} only concern was, "Will there be a place to wave good-bye?" This Fall, we were putting {{Bro}} on the bus and this was NOT working for him at all. Thus, we moved to driving him to school and letting him wave good-bye to Daddy. Finally, we were making some progress and he is tear-free 50% of the time. Nonetheless, this morning, he was rushed into the building and was not permitted to wave as Daddy drove away, and {{Bro}} had the biggest melt down yet. I respect that you are responsible for tons of kids... I do. I respect that you have to watch for not only the safety of Brody but also the safety of every kid in the school. I respect that each child is a precious gift and "kids + cars = bad combination." However, is there any way that {{Bro}} can be permitted to wave to Daddy as he pulls away before entering the building? I really feel that giving {{Bro}} an opportunity to wave good-bye would be extremely helpful. Any help you can provide, or suggestions you may have, is greatly appreciated.</span> </div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> </span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Sigh - yes, this transition has been hard. I cannot begin to tell you how this breaks my heart. We rewarded him for keeping up with school evevn though it seems "scary" (his words) by taking him to the LEGO store this weekend. He picked out some Star Wars LEGO sets. Why the sudden fascination with Star Wars???</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> </span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWCA7V0dnVWIfDcNMTS0OEXR66JPaoobqdwldutt77eRrLVkAJDccygH7w0oXZALMjHePE5BQ7M_0ghPKggIcqu6nyiPdTAtKTgKbX7DB0DzrawIjBAn4zTV6o9izKbz28qEVHYactdGk/s1600/star+wars.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWCA7V0dnVWIfDcNMTS0OEXR66JPaoobqdwldutt77eRrLVkAJDccygH7w0oXZALMjHePE5BQ7M_0ghPKggIcqu6nyiPdTAtKTgKbX7DB0DzrawIjBAn4zTV6o9izKbz28qEVHYactdGk/s1600/star+wars.jpg" height="223" width="400" /></span></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> </span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> </span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">He said that Bee should be permitted to get something too (yes, <strong><em>HIS</em></strong> suggestion) so she picked out some bricks and three people, which she made herself. </span></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"></span><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">
</span>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHSQ04G3JBLxBC2GeRELuAxE8kzcvkIK9-I3PgQeZsJQyNVBWfVEpZHOqkm0xK9pv9fIpTZkE1jUAXJF8SOr2lrTuTeQKpiwKdw5dUATz0sG4L4PRXyyl6LH7f0RjVWO9elf9b87neMJo/s1600/star+wars+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHSQ04G3JBLxBC2GeRELuAxE8kzcvkIK9-I3PgQeZsJQyNVBWfVEpZHOqkm0xK9pv9fIpTZkE1jUAXJF8SOr2lrTuTeQKpiwKdw5dUATz0sG4L4PRXyyl6LH7f0RjVWO9elf9b87neMJo/s1600/star+wars+2.jpg" height="223" width="400" /></span></a></td></tr>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">
</span>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">"I made this wall for my brother's Star Wars set Mom!" said the sweetest sister ever!</span></td></tr>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">
</span></tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"></span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Bro is not the only kid in our home transitioning to a new school this year. There is still more to come!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Stay tuned!</span><br />
<br />Nap Momhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06576022596416170858noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8916925864637414081.post-72340892371779797712013-04-03T06:15:00.001-07:002013-04-03T06:15:40.476-07:00Artists<p>"Mom, I think I should be an artist when I grow up because I am really good at staying in the lines and also I know stuff."</p>
<div class='separator' style='clear: both; text-align: center;'> <a href='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDmm75RK82CEwBSi8LfJQ5sbxpZFCn4eTNB_ba6nmM1qHqk8l-yuxYX8gysR5LHe7rnmC1rBySKBOb8wgECgL7TgB_2bMt_Xt3mVddj2HXLratVLZF_BKtdx8fZrHXbbbDAtRi2ksQzFY/s1600/2013-04-03_07-52-04_75.jpg' imageanchor='1' style='margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;'> <img border='0' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDmm75RK82CEwBSi8LfJQ5sbxpZFCn4eTNB_ba6nmM1qHqk8l-yuxYX8gysR5LHe7rnmC1rBySKBOb8wgECgL7TgB_2bMt_Xt3mVddj2HXLratVLZF_BKtdx8fZrHXbbbDAtRi2ksQzFY/s640/2013-04-03_07-52-04_75.jpg' /> </a> </div>Nap Momhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06576022596416170858noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8916925864637414081.post-21652047900245334542013-03-30T18:32:00.000-07:002013-03-30T18:32:02.666-07:00The Day Before Easter<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
We are just finishing up a wonderful day.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Woke up.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Went to an Easter event at my church: bouncy house, horse rides, story time, egg hunts every 15 minutes, and so on. The kids had a blast!</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Went to the local bakery to pick up a honey oat bunny bread for tomorrow.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Dyed "eggs."</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Bought Bro some soccer shoes and shin guards. His first practice and game is THIS week. What? </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
You might remember that we fostered a pet chicken last year and dyeing eggs with a chicken in the family was a bit awkward to say the least.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
Nonetheless, I made good on my promise to find a more humane alternative to dyeing real eggs and purchased two dozen eggnots.</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
They look and feel like real eggs.</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
They last forever - so I could display them on my cabinet for the entire month of March without the fear that hey would spoil.</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVRlR3CH2UKlxjVSsDpLrekdv2OTkUGethchhUMPyEaUbJGzGggRPUdR3wvMoEySYc3IDFfgz_ScoUYEpxh4pXAgwZD1aEdpI6KstiK9md4dMTjcsjcRWMLSuxLKaxf1OzmwF9R_RWLRI/s1600/IMG_0153.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVRlR3CH2UKlxjVSsDpLrekdv2OTkUGethchhUMPyEaUbJGzGggRPUdR3wvMoEySYc3IDFfgz_ScoUYEpxh4pXAgwZD1aEdpI6KstiK9md4dMTjcsjcRWMLSuxLKaxf1OzmwF9R_RWLRI/s400/IMG_0153.JPG" width="266" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
We finally got around to dying them at 5:00 the night before Easter. Nothing like waiting 'til the last minute, ya know???</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQK550p58mrUUOUHjfTREHxXJD0uJIKGf0V7Y2lhxaJYkoWL-GiN6jMuAVWjTOxAfsNJ2oQFQyL4S8tFjQspgSDajzezzFAX586KeayYQBt4Pod2ZKnb3HK7tf6aEWtaZW8XKPbCbOKOE/s1600/IMG_0158.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQK550p58mrUUOUHjfTREHxXJD0uJIKGf0V7Y2lhxaJYkoWL-GiN6jMuAVWjTOxAfsNJ2oQFQyL4S8tFjQspgSDajzezzFAX586KeayYQBt4Pod2ZKnb3HK7tf6aEWtaZW8XKPbCbOKOE/s400/IMG_0158.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
Bro immediately started with a two-toned egg.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjv5Yvov92elkrBB6cznx99BU2BlFAkzKLjw20AMy2qfneHr_oSQ_uHQkTfWypoORWIyv_822wKdf4z7YiCe1xw6w33jfxLMGzyNabw5Eg6ToWVWcyNc66EMowgtgu2S-4XzcW4MxufD88/s1600/IMG_0159.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjv5Yvov92elkrBB6cznx99BU2BlFAkzKLjw20AMy2qfneHr_oSQ_uHQkTfWypoORWIyv_822wKdf4z7YiCe1xw6w33jfxLMGzyNabw5Eg6ToWVWcyNc66EMowgtgu2S-4XzcW4MxufD88/s400/IMG_0159.JPG" width="266" /></a></div>
<br />
Even though Bri was so gently with the eggs, she didn't need to be because these eggs are totally kid friendly!<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7b0ClylmjAhAvbF9VRNWRhGWHQ0M9m0kbhhgv5bZlrYGSiQ7RvUHXuOn3xhT9InLNqcROU9u2j080XYiTWMGQCuzOWH2Cm84cAyWW_44aLDkYY4M2jxcc3qtdcEyex_4va2kzy-tqaB4/s1600/IMG_0163.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7b0ClylmjAhAvbF9VRNWRhGWHQ0M9m0kbhhgv5bZlrYGSiQ7RvUHXuOn3xhT9InLNqcROU9u2j080XYiTWMGQCuzOWH2Cm84cAyWW_44aLDkYY4M2jxcc3qtdcEyex_4va2kzy-tqaB4/s400/IMG_0163.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
The kids even used the stencils that Fairy Grandmother gave us. It worked like a charm.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDgmuwNnp6zFTlzvmGQbh-5o6t3dSxbXVe7bL8nOHhQ2SGa1zrHWF6RV933BVVmva1pDqcQfCBESbDpkGUEAwUik-8Ao2e_5O1vd3fkWbq3I684qVu5Yls_CYaLN7rK9nya1Xb8M8jVi8/s1600/IMG_0166.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDgmuwNnp6zFTlzvmGQbh-5o6t3dSxbXVe7bL8nOHhQ2SGa1zrHWF6RV933BVVmva1pDqcQfCBESbDpkGUEAwUik-8Ao2e_5O1vd3fkWbq3I684qVu5Yls_CYaLN7rK9nya1Xb8M8jVi8/s400/IMG_0166.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
I might even go so far as to say that these eggs hold color better than real eggs. The markers were great and I am looking forward to using some more techniques next year. <br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbQxUe24AQ7N35VVUfrtI7ZqUFHF3OJoGXBGjZUu69I2QG_XPhdZ_fh8f4Mb1CXahzvJ74t5yqEAc5i7BT9Z5nrnc5BLE0P4IPAZITgbMySQXYX3TVw2l_DXOT_AAXIjgtQsE4fQEo4aM/s1600/IMG_0171.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbQxUe24AQ7N35VVUfrtI7ZqUFHF3OJoGXBGjZUu69I2QG_XPhdZ_fh8f4Mb1CXahzvJ74t5yqEAc5i7BT9Z5nrnc5BLE0P4IPAZITgbMySQXYX3TVw2l_DXOT_AAXIjgtQsE4fQEo4aM/s400/IMG_0171.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLjy-S6nUgiSMgB_jrTYuq7ko_stjfAEeVqUd-cF_Ekuv7TtG-BbMEkKE9wfmGlXR8h9Jth1Zlfz5zvy_n-BO87tatoq1OQuYBC3Pne2mC0UHh4liMBCar6ACjXikQ7VFAQuySD3j_4wQ/s1600/IMG_0169.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLjy-S6nUgiSMgB_jrTYuq7ko_stjfAEeVqUd-cF_Ekuv7TtG-BbMEkKE9wfmGlXR8h9Jth1Zlfz5zvy_n-BO87tatoq1OQuYBC3Pne2mC0UHh4liMBCar6ACjXikQ7VFAQuySD3j_4wQ/s400/IMG_0169.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
Here is the cabinet in our living room. The baskets are waiting for the bunny to come fill them and the gift bags are gifts from Fairy Grandmother to the kiddos – Bri already opened her gift , a swimsuit. <br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgo-a0Dex-Ft1EBLuFy0FN49x2ibIKvuYQe9b3WKlJIe62uZNyx8gl-PMWlJ2VmBJ-sH70bhHNAJDhxTD4KWADklBiHOaSf3wV7Q8qD41zaOZUGY_dcsPCB7xUD6q1bbPdrEbEW_tMWpXk/s1600/IMG_0181.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgo-a0Dex-Ft1EBLuFy0FN49x2ibIKvuYQe9b3WKlJIe62uZNyx8gl-PMWlJ2VmBJ-sH70bhHNAJDhxTD4KWADklBiHOaSf3wV7Q8qD41zaOZUGY_dcsPCB7xUD6q1bbPdrEbEW_tMWpXk/s400/IMG_0181.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
And, as some of you know, we are trying to be more Christ-centered in our home. Thus, the kids made these crosses at church and they are sitting by the tulips at the front door. <br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZm8U_6AGu9Hy8j52XkFdy29GjgTZN6JJpAHHgzNSdpPtG99ZeJEHvc149YZA-UOJPkzg0WikVD5B7nqBl8tjSwjWBIotPNs1q61f5glkeya8izxcRF6vHq1TLJQowLZeKwHfOXahwR7g/s1600/IMG_0179.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZm8U_6AGu9Hy8j52XkFdy29GjgTZN6JJpAHHgzNSdpPtG99ZeJEHvc149YZA-UOJPkzg0WikVD5B7nqBl8tjSwjWBIotPNs1q61f5glkeya8izxcRF6vHq1TLJQowLZeKwHfOXahwR7g/s400/IMG_0179.JPG" width="266" /></a></div>
<br />
Much love to you all this holiday season! I'll have pics of the baskets soon!<br />
<br />Nap Momhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06576022596416170858noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8916925864637414081.post-22057227966635117522013-03-29T11:53:00.001-07:002013-03-29T11:53:59.934-07:00Testing 1-2-3<p>Supposedly I can blog from my phone.</p>
<p>This is a test.</p>
<p>If this works, you should be able to see a pic of the flower stand where I bought some tulips during my lunch break. Also... it was a gorgeous afternoon today.</p>
<div class='separator' style='clear: both; text-align: center;'> <a href='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOnSHz-9lxLhKFhxFz7sBqf61oGtujOy_JMT-kouPhYmcxOUPWZetQhhFlO71BOOZzApvXracgjplm3ZIUd7M7elPLadz7c82EOGg1kS2wiIURh7wEdAKfpgs1XVgc-aCqNnnyn02weYo/s1600/2013-03-29_12-28-34_262.jpg' imageanchor='1' style='margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;'> <img border='0' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOnSHz-9lxLhKFhxFz7sBqf61oGtujOy_JMT-kouPhYmcxOUPWZetQhhFlO71BOOZzApvXracgjplm3ZIUd7M7elPLadz7c82EOGg1kS2wiIURh7wEdAKfpgs1XVgc-aCqNnnyn02weYo/s640/2013-03-29_12-28-34_262.jpg' /> </a> </div>Nap Momhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06576022596416170858noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8916925864637414081.post-25163659464998876432013-03-28T17:47:00.000-07:002013-03-28T17:47:25.223-07:00DustyWow! Things are kinda dusty around here... not very much activity lately.<br />
<br />
Nonetheless, let's see if we remember how to do this blog thing shall we?<br />
<br />
Oh yes - look... pictures!<br /><br />So, after we fostered a chicken for Easter last year, I really wanted to try a chicken-friendly egg option this Easter. I invested in some ceramic eggs. Here they are in a little vase thingy in our living room. I am very eager to dye them and keep them from year to year.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOP-di_hVP1I3-kc75fF7OKaf6r92MRonZI_AkaUlr4ranl-tdn0mHcTeaqnp5rPpJRW_fhq0R8i2mRTpsUQ3N_fC5RoSNPVtyF1_WWlinh04OLa-nNKL37uYyP2UVHCADor0wovGm8io/s1600/IMG_0153.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOP-di_hVP1I3-kc75fF7OKaf6r92MRonZI_AkaUlr4ranl-tdn0mHcTeaqnp5rPpJRW_fhq0R8i2mRTpsUQ3N_fC5RoSNPVtyF1_WWlinh04OLa-nNKL37uYyP2UVHCADor0wovGm8io/s320/IMG_0153.JPG" width="213" /></a><br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
Our dog passed away on Super Bowl Sunday. Dear Husband and little Bro were devastated for quite awhile and Mommy gave in and let the family get a cat. His name is Tica (pronounced tee-kuh). This is a family name that runs in my husbands family. hahahaha! That is, all of the male cats from his childhood had the name Tica. Yes, it taken from the acronym for the organization - <u>T</u>he <u>I</u>nternational <u>C</u>at <u>A</u>ssociation. Yes, we named our cat after a cat association. Not MY idea. Cool? </div>
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaX2kBjwjzkxrtKF4Ac6id2w15aBgoBfZznXIK5DA4QsSOI0Va-bHK7bik8KWfFhRo1jknYY1I9JY74uanIB4RcYetC2Uq9vcqcREskPKZAMyY2q-pY2PWLsVcOkyvkht6F4lM5-gXJc0/s1600/IMG_0123.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaX2kBjwjzkxrtKF4Ac6id2w15aBgoBfZznXIK5DA4QsSOI0Va-bHK7bik8KWfFhRo1jknYY1I9JY74uanIB4RcYetC2Uq9vcqcREskPKZAMyY2q-pY2PWLsVcOkyvkht6F4lM5-gXJc0/s320/IMG_0123.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
Tica and Bro are best buds. Here is a pic of Bro playing his video game (yes, I am the bad parent who lets her preschooler play video games) with Tica tucked gently behind him. Don't judge!<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpz_zel6BSnLjnG_QZwCJGg-Q117G8cn33GdrpOUVd_C_v_fgwBXHBMtKhA7l3yugy9FIaoQ0ifbbR9XQPQFU0W9YnfyOKhnKtLGKiIir_kKHA-IskLiNND5WiyPva3n2sJsMhTIdQu88/s1600/IMG_0093.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpz_zel6BSnLjnG_QZwCJGg-Q117G8cn33GdrpOUVd_C_v_fgwBXHBMtKhA7l3yugy9FIaoQ0ifbbR9XQPQFU0W9YnfyOKhnKtLGKiIir_kKHA-IskLiNND5WiyPva3n2sJsMhTIdQu88/s320/IMG_0093.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
Finally, we have been going to church a lot lately and incorporating Christian messages into our home. Be on the lookout for crafts that come home from Sunday School because we get really excited about everything we are learning about Jesus.<br /><br />Last Sunday was Palm Sunday. Here are the palm leaves that we made in Sunday School. Bri made the square leaf and Bro made the light green leaf. I made the other two. <br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVOOPJAe9JdkKeShGYmityhvTXafv3F7KishqNBF9BWXsBoXTQPA28ZrEH_Q5RMQ7z370CO_hI1X41WR_pwfKOY-bQznC-q6qkD7J79ZPL4c8lYJ2JCTUZh9uv7ng1w9inUWPhuW7wifo/s1600/IMG_0157+lightened.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="207" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVOOPJAe9JdkKeShGYmityhvTXafv3F7KishqNBF9BWXsBoXTQPA28ZrEH_Q5RMQ7z370CO_hI1X41WR_pwfKOY-bQznC-q6qkD7J79ZPL4c8lYJ2JCTUZh9uv7ng1w9inUWPhuW7wifo/s320/IMG_0157+lightened.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
We hung them in the kids' room. I already need to update this picture because Bro made a sequin cross at Kids Club which we added to the mix.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOgqSw8J3YJevmohTRzFnk6wdETa1oNTnuwNCXWcKsTkep3sSNboYS3i4cFLpkfV9RbByjniVWyXpGZPv-wnOWItXi3T7rg1uK8hJYUt0MolkNII9JfuGmPHMqjlHoFYZeVp0l7zCUYwY/s1600/IMG_0157.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOgqSw8J3YJevmohTRzFnk6wdETa1oNTnuwNCXWcKsTkep3sSNboYS3i4cFLpkfV9RbByjniVWyXpGZPv-wnOWItXi3T7rg1uK8hJYUt0MolkNII9JfuGmPHMqjlHoFYZeVp0l7zCUYwY/s320/IMG_0157.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
So, it feels great to be back. While I have enjoyed the time with my family and resting with Jesus over the past <strike>few months</strike> year, I hope to keep blogging and putting to words the events of our crazy lives!<br /><br />Thanks for your patience!!!!!Nap Momhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06576022596416170858noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8916925864637414081.post-33385821046172826692012-05-07T08:46:00.002-07:002012-05-07T08:46:53.469-07:00Bed FairyWhen we came home from church on Sunday, we found that the bed fairy had visited us and replaced the crib with a big-girl bed. <br />
<br />
I wasn't expecting that.<br />
<br />
{{<em>sigh</em>}}<br />
<br />
Nonetheless, baby Bri had been climbing in and out of her crib for quite some time now and this was a good move for her.<br />
<br />
{{<em>milestones, ugh!</em>}}<br />
<br />
The transition went as well as could be expected. <br />
<br />
That is, she did not take her nap and, instead, played quietly for awhile on her bed. She was also somewhat fussy when it was time to go to bed that night. I was starting to wonder if she maybe had an ear infection or something because she just kept fussing. <br />
<br />
However, she finally fell asleep and slept soundly through the night <em>and</em> was so eager to show off her new bed when she woke up.<br />
<br />
I just knew that my faithful readers would want pictures so I asked her if I could take a picture of her new bed.<br />
<br />
You know she is very picky about getting her picture taken {{<em>more on that later</em>}}. <br />
<br />
She said "yes."<br />
<br />
First she let me take a picture of the bed while she stood to the side.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsOEVxarJ9t4dWPBatuMFh251A_rfsrJlhQhIxt0Ou38R8VIirUD42_ni_FLkaGEnPx7_M0zHWvf1crd0QsOArJll7_gAlYI-bzeBcBXQjd28RYNYZ_G88bL-tgfWXrJrGinpIlIqecd8/s1600/feet+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" mea="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsOEVxarJ9t4dWPBatuMFh251A_rfsrJlhQhIxt0Ou38R8VIirUD42_ni_FLkaGEnPx7_M0zHWvf1crd0QsOArJll7_gAlYI-bzeBcBXQjd28RYNYZ_G88bL-tgfWXrJrGinpIlIqecd8/s400/feet+2.jpg" width="266" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Then, she said I could take a picture of the bed with her sitting on it.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieS-DKY-UHepGEHAkqyPnUIiE3DcEeLDgJv-c7arWHiyH74PUjSQfjqT4j81ctHZ8NIwJra1fdVUmjH3cvoJMEuxrKDRcKWBEwvggBT4EwPtRFzL8wuIShds6WgU6SgBBjpXo1veWK-6Q/s1600/feet+3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" mea="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieS-DKY-UHepGEHAkqyPnUIiE3DcEeLDgJv-c7arWHiyH74PUjSQfjqT4j81ctHZ8NIwJra1fdVUmjH3cvoJMEuxrKDRcKWBEwvggBT4EwPtRFzL8wuIShds6WgU6SgBBjpXo1veWK-6Q/s320/feet+3.jpg" width="213" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Then, she totally surprised me when she sprawled out on the bed and said, "Take a picture Mommy. Take a picture of Bee-elle. See my feet?" </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8d9wm_XqhtL-68U2CNHYnD6Abkcb0FEukxQyA1P2TVmTeVHssaud45ZVR_Ko4Pobu5kYx_J6QPvytklHP4E8BOya9LkrpqWxMK9PuYSF9ryybiHXBrHBzqXE_8svBNGOzHD3teSuZ34U/s1600/feet.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" mea="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8d9wm_XqhtL-68U2CNHYnD6Abkcb0FEukxQyA1P2TVmTeVHssaud45ZVR_Ko4Pobu5kYx_J6QPvytklHP4E8BOya9LkrpqWxMK9PuYSF9ryybiHXBrHBzqXE_8svBNGOzHD3teSuZ34U/s400/feet.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
Look at her... with her cheek propped up on her hand like that. Wow! She <strong><em>must</em></strong> be very excited about her new bed.<br />
<br />
<div align="center">
<span style="font-size: large;">How much longer can I call her my baby?</span></div>
<div align="center">
</div>Nap Momhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06576022596416170858noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8916925864637414081.post-2816514991586840762012-05-04T11:14:00.000-07:002012-05-04T11:14:00.182-07:00We are still celebrating Get Caught Reading month. Are you?<br />
<br />
Today is a little Q and A post.<br />
<br />
Ready?<br />
<br />
Question: What's better than one little girl looking at books (see yesterday's post)?<br />
<br />
Answer: Two little children looking at books.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTaXTRRU8U6OWTQ2pF-ti5H30bYoL7vzCM5qO0_yffpHFkZ6177Dxz3zWvNqVCL6TVibP_x9AdWpzu4UX8fQUSjzJluRvxqlUgnXtHhiE7EWI39HOG_IsAFKhzdbDUu2sTagN-HLuyHFE/s1600/IMG_8786.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" mea="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTaXTRRU8U6OWTQ2pF-ti5H30bYoL7vzCM5qO0_yffpHFkZ6177Dxz3zWvNqVCL6TVibP_x9AdWpzu4UX8fQUSjzJluRvxqlUgnXtHhiE7EWI39HOG_IsAFKhzdbDUu2sTagN-HLuyHFE/s400/IMG_8786.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
Question: What's better than two little children looking at books?<br />
<br />
Answer: One big brother reading to one little sister.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMMo3xWYZjYgPGt7cvsTi05heNKFi_ACQWVQB3wbgpA6AtIbhwmhhh56qpY_O-bk8bPfTVrUBC3bESYNWPUjFg7AV7gjt-kJOq_j48bXLAflHdziepUUQCGM2hrBsfCnKMiFULscp0ksY/s1600/IMG_8788.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" mea="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMMo3xWYZjYgPGt7cvsTi05heNKFi_ACQWVQB3wbgpA6AtIbhwmhhh56qpY_O-bk8bPfTVrUBC3bESYNWPUjFg7AV7gjt-kJOq_j48bXLAflHdziepUUQCGM2hrBsfCnKMiFULscp0ksY/s400/IMG_8788.JPG" width="266" /></a></div>
<br />
<em>Again, this is right after tooth station.</em><br />
<br />
<em><strong>Station</strong> details can be found on my May 3, 2012 post.</em><br />
<br />
Question: What's better than one big brother reading to one little sister?<br />
<br />
Answer coming soon! Stay tuned.Nap Momhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06576022596416170858noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8916925864637414081.post-80984005751351697972012-05-03T11:04:00.001-07:002012-05-03T11:04:55.138-07:00Get CaughtMy sources tell me that May is <a href="http://www.getcaughtreading.org/" target="_blank">Get Caught Reading Month</a>.<br />
<br />
While Lu and Bro were very eager readers and would sit for bedtime stories on a nightly basis, Bri has been harder to nudge along. <br />
<br />
I've wondered why she doesn't love books like the other two did. I asked her teachers if they thought she has a learning issue. I took her to the pediatric eye specialist because I was CONVINCED that she could not see the pictures. <br />
<br />
Everyone said that she is normal.<br />
<br />
Why oh why doesn't she like books? <br />
<br />
THAT IS NOT NORMAL {{<em>to me</em>}}!!!!!<br />
<br />
Nonetheless, we keep up with the daily book routine.<br />
<br />
We also created a book station of books she specifically likes: farm animals, Barney the dinosaur, and interactive lift-the-flap books. <br />
<br />
Additionally, we have a consistent bedtime routine we follow every night. It includes story time.<br />
<br />
The first part of the nightly routine is pajama station - put your jammies on.<br />
<br />
Next is teeth and potty station - go potty and brush teeth.<br />
<br />
If the kids behave in station one and two, they move on to station three, book station.<br />
We read three books in book station. Book station is either on my bed or Bro's bed.<br />
Sometimes the kids are separated for book station, so they each get some one-on-one time. Sometimes we do this as a group.<br />
<br />
Finally, we have song station. Song station is in the kids' room. We turn out the light and sing bedtime songs before it's time to go to sleep.<br />
<br />
If the kids misbehave, fuss, or whine for pajama station or tooth station, they move directly to song station which means that they sit in bed and wait for me to come in and turn out the lights. <br />
<br />
Typically, we move through the stations seamlessly. We really don't have many bedtime issues at all.<br />
<br />
Just the other night, Bro was out with Daddy, but right after Bri finished tooth station I walked into the kitchen and when I came back to the room I saw little Bri looking at her books.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAxtSWJUXeM03yi4GmVxIisEXsnzj_SRdFPwAx0JhkWobU4kRtziy-UnO3heSLW0A3Gz9Um8kxC4n3EVoF2zQl3FPx6FnMLk9P77cOFi2ONgghDkSmcjMd0GKweKl-tmadtFs-26MgBGs/s1600/bri+book+1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" mea="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAxtSWJUXeM03yi4GmVxIisEXsnzj_SRdFPwAx0JhkWobU4kRtziy-UnO3heSLW0A3Gz9Um8kxC4n3EVoF2zQl3FPx6FnMLk9P77cOFi2ONgghDkSmcjMd0GKweKl-tmadtFs-26MgBGs/s400/bri+book+1.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNvHjQ6lJbXiIzFIem3zMRpMyc8eAT4v6GQQHHCZL1aj7HLi84fFZwCptL2CmJo7AA7yDlHRTWdXzpVWGKla_dXocZRJzgGfbqrzIlCzeXIXfdDDNWq3SNBVEq__Zl43rilyNO2XOmuqk/s1600/bro+book+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" mea="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNvHjQ6lJbXiIzFIem3zMRpMyc8eAT4v6GQQHHCZL1aj7HLi84fFZwCptL2CmJo7AA7yDlHRTWdXzpVWGKla_dXocZRJzgGfbqrzIlCzeXIXfdDDNWq3SNBVEq__Zl43rilyNO2XOmuqk/s400/bro+book+2.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
I felt like I won the lotto {{<em>okay - not quite the same feeling but you get the general idea</em>}}.<br />
<br />
How wonderful that May is Get Caught Reading month because I continue to catch these kids reading and it melts my heart.<br />
<br />
Yes, I still have more pictures to share with you.<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">Did you catch anyone reading yet?</span></div>Nap Momhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06576022596416170858noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8916925864637414081.post-29111269156591048312012-05-02T08:26:00.000-07:002012-05-02T08:26:00.429-07:00Get Caught ReadingMay is Get Caught Reading Month.<br />
<br />
Get <a href="http://www.getcaughtreading.org/" target="_blank">Caught Reading Month</a> is a small nationwide campaign to remind people of all ages how fun it is to read.<br />
<br />
I have a few pictures of my kids reading that I am <strike>waiting</strike> <strike>dying</strike> waiting to share with you. <br />
<br />
I actually "caught" them reading. How cool?<br />
<br />
Let me know if you catch anyone reading and share your picture/link with me in the comment section below. <br />
<br />
If I knew how to do a "blog party" with "Mr. Linky" I would. But, I don't know how to do that sooo.... we'll just have to do this the ol' fashioned way (mkay?) and you'll have to leave a comment with a link to your picture/blog post.<br />
<br />
I know that you are readers and you have readers in your life. I hope I see a few comments between now and the end of May. <br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">Catch someone reading! </span></div>Nap Momhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06576022596416170858noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8916925864637414081.post-37129568443585940592012-05-01T08:12:00.000-07:002012-05-01T11:48:03.464-07:00Circus Birthday<strike>Baby Bee</strike> Toddler Bri had a birthday. Yay!<br />
<br />
You may wonder why I get so excited about my kids' birthdays. My excitement does not come to brag or to boast, but more from a place of concentrated celebration.<br />
<br />
Concentrated celebration?<br />
<br />
Yes - a celebration that is concentrated on one particular thing.<br />
<br />
Still confused?<br />
<br />
I grew up as an only child and all our daily lives centered around ME! This means that I felt tons and tons of love from my family, but I admit that at times I was <strike>somewhat</strike> spoiled.<br />
<br />
Thus, I equate "all about me" as "love." I have outgrown this in my old age <strike>somewhat</strike>.<br />
<br />
My biggest obstacle to overcome as a parent of three kids is how to make each of the kids feel special and unique. I know this is crazy... and I love their sibling bond... and none of them complain that they don't feel special... but I just want them to know that they are each so very special <strong>and</strong> unique <strong>and</strong> they are all held in high regard in my life. You understand this. Right?<br />
<br />
So, while I have to treat them all equally during the course of a regular year, a birthday is a time to look at one child and say "YOU are really special to me and today I want to celebrate YOU!"<br />
<br />
Am I making any sense???? Does anyone else have this inner conflict (does each child feel special?)??? Anyone???<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
We were off to an early start with the festivities when Fairy Grandmother and Luvs2Boat brought over a water table.<br />
<br />
It was not assembled when they got to the house because they thought that the kids would have a great time putting it together as well. They were so right.<br />
<br />
All hands were on deck and Brody really enjoyed that he could "help" put this present together for his sister.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIz95_AagIwpzm2xepngS0f7oLARAPBVcmGuMvSv81df0y_tNHuLeoJJROn6H7bEXI9AsxDzJKdp6I1tZ9JaNo-Q3yH7bRKoDDmXjmflivSN1wLanBBs6MVh86oVBuevXduCAqmO9h9tI/s1600/IMG_8832.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" mea="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIz95_AagIwpzm2xepngS0f7oLARAPBVcmGuMvSv81df0y_tNHuLeoJJROn6H7bEXI9AsxDzJKdp6I1tZ9JaNo-Q3yH7bRKoDDmXjmflivSN1wLanBBs6MVh86oVBuevXduCAqmO9h9tI/s400/IMG_8832.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
Brody was the first to announce that Bri would definitely share "her" water table with him. Hmmm... just like she shares "her" sandbox from last year, right? {{<em>Note: I think that Brody forgot that the sandbox belongs to Brielle</em>.}}<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihyphenhyphencdbFvYkma1g3CYxRqWc9fVBXCD0tPoBV-X703n4cc3GecUer3R7vGVeBCp0ov8eSQvEgAtbMIXs82hYT0pviHSifLkEaR2tbBOYBg5oK5W0tBq8IH9mMipWpT-nkSdbaI2m9KBwUc8/s1600/IMG_8835.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" mea="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihyphenhyphencdbFvYkma1g3CYxRqWc9fVBXCD0tPoBV-X703n4cc3GecUer3R7vGVeBCp0ov8eSQvEgAtbMIXs82hYT0pviHSifLkEaR2tbBOYBg5oK5W0tBq8IH9mMipWpT-nkSdbaI2m9KBwUc8/s400/IMG_8835.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Many hands make quick work and it wasn't long before the water table was up and running. She definitely loves her water table. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLR_BtrRo5d2iSG85-S0Fr528KJRxlxu2YYHjecTUgEPM9xPKKKhvSrF9CmB2-lfhQ5WEixS1SVfUUhZHGYFQpl_a6KgBqJsqXlRSM6OaQTXUEYCYL2EAG9mjZW-U4GPi5mZbHFPxigRw/s1600/IMG_8840.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" mea="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLR_BtrRo5d2iSG85-S0Fr528KJRxlxu2YYHjecTUgEPM9xPKKKhvSrF9CmB2-lfhQ5WEixS1SVfUUhZHGYFQpl_a6KgBqJsqXlRSM6OaQTXUEYCYL2EAG9mjZW-U4GPi5mZbHFPxigRw/s400/IMG_8840.JPG" width="266" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Bro knew that he was not allowed to get in it. But, that didn't stop him from talking someone else into jumping in. Really guys???</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXjx3-N_TGWZiHK17swpIQ8Edb3hJ8usdYWLHsdbOdlNvNSMFRdZL39dxWBYE_GYl6EAMoNbgSA8YBSaY9tzdwz4MPVTnwQHnDmJs-QGPNyp3DUup_FaEH4Eq7yEuecnZ2Yp1Ak7yyRj4/s1600/IMG_8851.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" mea="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXjx3-N_TGWZiHK17swpIQ8Edb3hJ8usdYWLHsdbOdlNvNSMFRdZL39dxWBYE_GYl6EAMoNbgSA8YBSaY9tzdwz4MPVTnwQHnDmJs-QGPNyp3DUup_FaEH4Eq7yEuecnZ2Yp1Ak7yyRj4/s400/IMG_8851.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
Moving on.</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
The next day, I was in full birthday mode while the kids were at school.</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
First, I made a monkey cake (<a href="http://smittenkitchen.com/2010/09/monkey-cake/" target="_blank">using these instructions from smitten kitchen</a>) for daycare... and ran it over before snack time. {{<em>Yes, I know I should have made it ahead of time but we were too busy <strike>playing in the water table...</strike> napping... ahem</em>.}}</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgF5jqNC-9nkKUweWhuOpkVXvTBPcFeOF1NLItrJHV4D3NiGzjYETihqkBiUpActR0Xe2qG6-3T6cE_dnD_kJD21hknDHWZCY72x44tNBNX3RnnaxpLFgt8pc9FfKxGIfar2KYv4qlWS8Q/s1600/IMG_8853.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" mea="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgF5jqNC-9nkKUweWhuOpkVXvTBPcFeOF1NLItrJHV4D3NiGzjYETihqkBiUpActR0Xe2qG6-3T6cE_dnD_kJD21hknDHWZCY72x44tNBNX3RnnaxpLFgt8pc9FfKxGIfar2KYv4qlWS8Q/s400/IMG_8853.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
Since we were going to a small circus at our local fairgrounds, I made a circus cake for home. This was especially meaningful for me, because it was a replica of a circus cake that my mom made me when I was little. Cool, huh?</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
Here's the undecorated cake with the photos from my childhood birthday as a template.</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9dgV_esa40g5_pgl1fvRwAJwj3NjSBXSGia8p5zFs2Aiot19czWVgxTC2jmcKq-hZwPKdyGLXfKrR1PAoRng3tBCuh8MrjkGIXGeFmwb4SaQ60AjyWbxAz-wHFZPZrwiKqzmgYkMvpNY/s1600/IMG_8855.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" mea="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9dgV_esa40g5_pgl1fvRwAJwj3NjSBXSGia8p5zFs2Aiot19czWVgxTC2jmcKq-hZwPKdyGLXfKrR1PAoRng3tBCuh8MrjkGIXGeFmwb4SaQ60AjyWbxAz-wHFZPZrwiKqzmgYkMvpNY/s400/IMG_8855.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
Look! Not too bad, right???</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWYDQCA4bMWeSz_IAxazigk9rdUDe-3ZazxNOS7bO-kf7DcclIXiMnQG8J0tE9kZXSb-rENaV8KIIuBHNYCwkQ1LuoIgyL5xobQaGwTy2a0huXIFZRB3rmO_CZsJRL2YQkb2A_I7vRHio/s1600/IMG_8861.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" mea="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWYDQCA4bMWeSz_IAxazigk9rdUDe-3ZazxNOS7bO-kf7DcclIXiMnQG8J0tE9kZXSb-rENaV8KIIuBHNYCwkQ1LuoIgyL5xobQaGwTy2a0huXIFZRB3rmO_CZsJRL2YQkb2A_I7vRHio/s400/IMG_8861.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
It's just like I remember.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEip_Q_VdmTksnBA3TW4UJMGv7gDRrkc_FpLTC75t-OYbXHsmd9IsxAGtY_z2Ba4XUNGfXClrN9VB6jC5qStvDkrugjEZgtFbTYIfQbxsHonfGCo1IlhBr6XyQisi2dGvsFsSalBAiI_Ln0/s1600/IMG_8863.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" mea="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEip_Q_VdmTksnBA3TW4UJMGv7gDRrkc_FpLTC75t-OYbXHsmd9IsxAGtY_z2Ba4XUNGfXClrN9VB6jC5qStvDkrugjEZgtFbTYIfQbxsHonfGCo1IlhBr6XyQisi2dGvsFsSalBAiI_Ln0/s400/IMG_8863.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
I knew that it would be late when we got back from the circus, so I set the table before I left.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsTkCjQ3oHM01Pzu1WQP8qadhaDSQSSbTvEpWqnK3qbvlQcJ1abW_YqSUqrce4pZGUIUWaMkbHJPg4oSRc4_oUnkEGoyZ9bCEo41HQgCi3A6rDi_ToPREnqpi8gRH3pFbEx7IlMf5PikM/s1600/IMG_8865.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" mea="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsTkCjQ3oHM01Pzu1WQP8qadhaDSQSSbTvEpWqnK3qbvlQcJ1abW_YqSUqrce4pZGUIUWaMkbHJPg4oSRc4_oUnkEGoyZ9bCEo41HQgCi3A6rDi_ToPREnqpi8gRH3pFbEx7IlMf5PikM/s400/IMG_8865.JPG" width="266" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
They didn't have any circus-theme balloons at the store, so I had to go with the next best thing... monkeys, of course.</div>
<br />
In the days leading up to the circus, Bro was adamant that he was nervous about the circus because "tigers scare me" he said.<br />
<br />
He had this concerned look on his face the <strong><em>entire</em></strong> time the tigers were performing. {{<em>I am sure that he and I both had the same concerns, except that I was able to fake a smile. Gulp.</em>}}<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjai_rmZfAxYI1iGXipPWZXSL5tKdLVPH1ncN69SDPHnnv1lPbAjApLrG5yAQWTjMASEcmCT2CY0hUeexNMD4eFWL286QVxVZdbK15R7za97GfPugLsnkVSPyCkIJHz1cfBVbCspqhmlqI/s1600/IMG_8869.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" mea="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjai_rmZfAxYI1iGXipPWZXSL5tKdLVPH1ncN69SDPHnnv1lPbAjApLrG5yAQWTjMASEcmCT2CY0hUeexNMD4eFWL286QVxVZdbK15R7za97GfPugLsnkVSPyCkIJHz1cfBVbCspqhmlqI/s400/IMG_8869.JPG" width="266" /></a></div>
<br />
Bri kept telling me <strong><em>not</em></strong> to take her picture. I did eeek out this blurry cheese. I tried to tell her that I was taking Daddy's picture, not hers, but she wasn't buying it. "MOMMY - do NOT take my picture." {{<em>Fine then... be that way.</em>}}<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgToU5dgE7v2ZSzEGDVtBqgymHwgaxavgZiwzwBMr8Ifj8PTVa0m5NStOoj2NAdlYkpGnQ8btm5Nb2s2GPkam9v-StNTDun9mA62St_B_nKeD1wpUo4nt3Q_x0-zrxxbXN8FL_MCu_NBxA/s1600/IMG_8881.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" mea="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgToU5dgE7v2ZSzEGDVtBqgymHwgaxavgZiwzwBMr8Ifj8PTVa0m5NStOoj2NAdlYkpGnQ8btm5Nb2s2GPkam9v-StNTDun9mA62St_B_nKeD1wpUo4nt3Q_x0-zrxxbXN8FL_MCu_NBxA/s400/IMG_8881.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
After the circus we raced home to have cake and open presents with the birthday girl. She squealed when we rounded the corner to the kitchen and she saw her cake and monkey balloon. <br />
<br />
I wish we had more pictures of the evening. However, we are dealing with a toddler here and after a whole day of festivities (yes, they even celebrated at school) she was not in any condition to pose for pictures. <br />
<br />
In attendance, but not pictured were, of course, my parents Fairy Grandmother and Luvs2Boat... even though they were late. {{<em>Hi Mom - I'm just kidding about the late part!</em>}} <br />
<br />
And now for the grand finale... <br />
<br />
As many of you know, my favorite picture of the year is blowing out the birthday cake candles. It's a little blurry here, but I think you get the general idea...<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8wLWlMsULeuUwd0mQw47a_WJ1HDZJooDa6m3gvINcvL7LiNpN0of3WOx58yLyVMlfvFMcfGuJtdHLXZUs95fXhWbFkapQwCX474fYvoigRB42eSFgUgGsvL5v_06nB_bCDZg-4I1-2gQ/s1600/IMG_8889.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" mea="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8wLWlMsULeuUwd0mQw47a_WJ1HDZJooDa6m3gvINcvL7LiNpN0of3WOx58yLyVMlfvFMcfGuJtdHLXZUs95fXhWbFkapQwCX474fYvoigRB42eSFgUgGsvL5v_06nB_bCDZg-4I1-2gQ/s400/IMG_8889.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
Happy birthday to the spunkiest girl I know... Happy birthday to you!<br />
<br />
<br /></div>Nap Momhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06576022596416170858noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8916925864637414081.post-5089886176561966012012-04-26T12:04:00.001-07:002012-04-26T12:04:19.029-07:00Let's Go Caps!<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
Last night, the Capitals hockey team was in the final game of a 7-game series. <br />
<br />
<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">
Of course, I tried to capture a cute picture of the kids in their jerseys {{<em>yes, for facebook</em>}}. I have to bribe them to take their picture you know? </div>
<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">
Today's reward? Play time. </div>
<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">
"You let me take your picture and you can play outside, okay?" "Okay!"</div>
<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">
<br /></div>
<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">
Sorry - these were taken with my phone. I thought it would be too much to ask if I could go get my real camera first. </div>
<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">
<br /></div>
<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">
Here is picture #1. I thought we could do better.</div>
<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGlXc8tWI7Ng30Wjr1Csd82jrXOXKy4q0nB9PPXmJJhGm3UunOTkznmoBdG77VuRXWsSHzwD11W2KQxue9n-_bsC-2RjrICVXhbC7RxXeaiKYBBskYHeMcJqd1nyNrDg3C1FMoc_LLGHk/s1600/caps+9.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="223" oda="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGlXc8tWI7Ng30Wjr1Csd82jrXOXKy4q0nB9PPXmJJhGm3UunOTkznmoBdG77VuRXWsSHzwD11W2KQxue9n-_bsC-2RjrICVXhbC7RxXeaiKYBBskYHeMcJqd1nyNrDg3C1FMoc_LLGHk/s400/caps+9.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
They both decided to stand up and scream. So, I asked them to sit down.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9I2uX7aO7qj4ckg1Hxr6PqzY-QqYJ6_JZavGqM2cn6zoeEYPtNXPDJYcCXlcqB9W14GHZmhBQdU-eQcHVNaXWXV0njy_BgzKlJ0FKoMhVVpZ3kSxUZpSw6vtmPmeeLYMqTP4-6ez3vuA/s1600/caps+8.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" oda="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9I2uX7aO7qj4ckg1Hxr6PqzY-QqYJ6_JZavGqM2cn6zoeEYPtNXPDJYcCXlcqB9W14GHZmhBQdU-eQcHVNaXWXV0njy_BgzKlJ0FKoMhVVpZ3kSxUZpSw6vtmPmeeLYMqTP4-6ez3vuA/s400/caps+8.jpg" width="223" /></a></div>
<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">
<br /></div>
<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">
When I asked them to sit down, I got this blurry action shot.</div>
<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFrkkejfY9nSG6AAYNkTkD7pbMcLquZKO1rEw_ivRSI9IBJpPuD5ORyBf0YX_tXAMQhIWox4bvWILmANjrtgu8TEyatd_tnYXArtvSgDN1CECKoxyVveX7A366rl0L89xLiYtkdonxGrk/s1600/caps+3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" oda="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFrkkejfY9nSG6AAYNkTkD7pbMcLquZKO1rEw_ivRSI9IBJpPuD5ORyBf0YX_tXAMQhIWox4bvWILmANjrtgu8TEyatd_tnYXArtvSgDN1CECKoxyVveX7A366rl0L89xLiYtkdonxGrk/s400/caps+3.jpg" width="223" /></a></div>
<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">
<br /></div>
<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">
When I asked them to be still, Bri stood up and danced.</div>
<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQYfflrJ_mToyRFLoreNqWr9uVPhluYGxPE6joAsUhAZCeexZ6Ad5wueei6puVjYjIHFojANvo2buG-5unjYjPg51FGs4vNSKnQ8qjVFJZpCBZW5x0JWB5HXL-7TDgtyEsiqq9yVHyPGE/s1600/caps+4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" oda="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQYfflrJ_mToyRFLoreNqWr9uVPhluYGxPE6joAsUhAZCeexZ6Ad5wueei6puVjYjIHFojANvo2buG-5unjYjPg51FGs4vNSKnQ8qjVFJZpCBZW5x0JWB5HXL-7TDgtyEsiqq9yVHyPGE/s400/caps+4.jpg" width="223" /></a></div>
<br />
Since Bri stood up and danced, Bro had to do it too.<br />
<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhzO28l-C9HwkjNTJt2DrXxV8jJKsQvKHiq19a9EvgI6Skp92MhVrudwlABNHwDkIbDWhyphenhyphenYNLP9D5YLLRlvH_XA4P6sR1siSMrhcbhbSMxTCVpBk6Io6GSWV1_XklsraoyjSGQUi2pyY4/s1600/caps+6.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" oda="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhzO28l-C9HwkjNTJt2DrXxV8jJKsQvKHiq19a9EvgI6Skp92MhVrudwlABNHwDkIbDWhyphenhyphenYNLP9D5YLLRlvH_XA4P6sR1siSMrhcbhbSMxTCVpBk6Io6GSWV1_XklsraoyjSGQUi2pyY4/s400/caps+6.jpg" width="223" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: left;">
Finally, Bri was dancing and Bro was totally mocking her. Look at that face, would ya? {{<em>Your sister does not look like that</em>.}}</div>
<div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUNMOt6S3f3QJE2Wyfa33SMoXnknELF6iBn_mLWp4lPP0MPzPvU1WkIcAMIXk9-WCqLXhQL1mz00q821FDajhfpGnGvt-jAUIhgUov6Mb64aop576CcIYmr9dndci4aXfxHcfdyYwKWB8/s1600/caps+5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" oda="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUNMOt6S3f3QJE2Wyfa33SMoXnknELF6iBn_mLWp4lPP0MPzPvU1WkIcAMIXk9-WCqLXhQL1mz00q821FDajhfpGnGvt-jAUIhgUov6Mb64aop576CcIYmr9dndci4aXfxHcfdyYwKWB8/s400/caps+5.jpg" width="223" /></a></div>
<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">
<br /></div>
So, I uploaded the original photo to facebook.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGlXc8tWI7Ng30Wjr1Csd82jrXOXKy4q0nB9PPXmJJhGm3UunOTkznmoBdG77VuRXWsSHzwD11W2KQxue9n-_bsC-2RjrICVXhbC7RxXeaiKYBBskYHeMcJqd1nyNrDg3C1FMoc_LLGHk/s1600/caps+9.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="223" oda="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGlXc8tWI7Ng30Wjr1Csd82jrXOXKy4q0nB9PPXmJJhGm3UunOTkznmoBdG77VuRXWsSHzwD11W2KQxue9n-_bsC-2RjrICVXhbC7RxXeaiKYBBskYHeMcJqd1nyNrDg3C1FMoc_LLGHk/s400/caps+9.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
Bri wanted to show the world her climbing skills and asked me to take a picture of her at the top of the ladder leading to the monkey bars. Yes, she climbs up there all by herself. <br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhy0iMsDVDdBqZf3imn26PHxPxYHlxiUj0BAPer6LnEVye0p735dFFDEwfgTdjDPwaZtrK9ZhSucMTYPvcF1qySR6XxriLb6yxr33tK1EaaKT3J8cOyg9V0gZgFzmIeFqOJlqIryWQzOek/s1600/caps+7.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" oda="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhy0iMsDVDdBqZf3imn26PHxPxYHlxiUj0BAPer6LnEVye0p735dFFDEwfgTdjDPwaZtrK9ZhSucMTYPvcF1qySR6XxriLb6yxr33tK1EaaKT3J8cOyg9V0gZgFzmIeFqOJlqIryWQzOek/s400/caps+7.jpg" width="223" /></a></div>
<br />
I asked Bro if I could take his picture and he stated, "I don't look at cameras."<br />
"What do you mean you don't look at cameras?"<br />
"You heard me. I don't look at cameras. You can take the picture if you want to but I'm not looking."<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmWe-BcgRrxKY1YhxtFVo9W0qEKTOWgHWNQgqaMks6el7yxqD7nyklsmuL_cZIj8rI-p5YMHZVAsfAFjctJA9jTK7OBXfVrwCn8IypgmFN9qwvPSHQxyB7Y_CO0sqci5o2YCaAd_GBGMc/s1600/caps+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" oda="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmWe-BcgRrxKY1YhxtFVo9W0qEKTOWgHWNQgqaMks6el7yxqD7nyklsmuL_cZIj8rI-p5YMHZVAsfAFjctJA9jTK7OBXfVrwCn8IypgmFN9qwvPSHQxyB7Y_CO0sqci5o2YCaAd_GBGMc/s400/caps+2.jpg" width="223" /></a></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">The good news is that the Caps won their game,</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">so we can show off our team spirit again.</span></div>Nap Momhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06576022596416170858noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8916925864637414081.post-38706957432230930972012-04-18T06:06:00.000-07:002012-04-18T06:06:37.021-07:00CompromiseI am really having a battle with Bro in the morning when it is time to get out of his pajamas; he doesn't want to take them off. The battle has escalated over the past few months (some days are better than others - i.e., the days he gets to wear his Iron Man or pirate shirts). But lately, these battles end in taking away his morning TV and/or a time out... along with his whining, crying, and/or yelling, depending on the day.<br />
<br />
This morning, he was sent to time out. After he calmed down, I went into his room and sat down on the floor next to him and explained, in preschool terms, that we must get dressed for our day in the morning.<br />
<br />
He explained that he likes to keep his pajamas on because they are warm and comfortable. {{<em>We can all understand and appreciate wanting to stay in our jammies all day long, right?</em>}}<br />
<br />
I offered up this compromise:<br />
<br />
Every evening, in lieu of wearing jammies, I'll send him to bed dressed in the clothes that he is going to wear the next day. Then, when he wakes up in the morning, he will already be dressed, warm, cozy, and ready for the day.<br />
<br />
How do I really feel about this compromise?<br />
<br />
I tend to think that this is a bad idea. Educators are telling parents that constant negotiating at home is why teachers are having such a hard time with kids in school... because these kids think that everything can be negotiated. When the teachers set boundaries and limits, the kids try to negotiate for different terms, which is maddening. <br />
<br />
I once had a friend who warmed his daughter's clothes in the oven every morning. {{<em>I'm not kidding.</em>}}<br />
<br />
Want to read another opinion on negotiating with children? Check out <a href="http://growingupwell.org/2011/01/16/the-value-of-respectful-negotiations/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">How to Negotiate with Children</a> from growingupwell.org. Their main point is: "How do you allow children to negotiate with adults, without allowing them to become obnoxious little princes and princesses who feel the kingdom is entitled to them?"<br />
<br />
Either way, the morning battle is draining {{<em>welcome to parenthood, I know</em>}} and I might be taking the easy way out but I'm desperate. <br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">I am open to any other suggestions that you might have. </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Bring it on!</span></div><br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEip69KlDWjzHJUh1IKkl6_cjTK2cH0haaky5gg5v84HUEkcESm0IrQJlvC6IfIFFQirqtYEJY3fVTaWneByuXkRFVr-ndTHMN3VCJwJArsinarz-YQk4A41jd918Sp_MOqhN2tAXloabDc/s1600/lilac.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="223" qda="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEip69KlDWjzHJUh1IKkl6_cjTK2cH0haaky5gg5v84HUEkcESm0IrQJlvC6IfIFFQirqtYEJY3fVTaWneByuXkRFVr-ndTHMN3VCJwJArsinarz-YQk4A41jd918Sp_MOqhN2tAXloabDc/s400/lilac.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />
<em>In other news, unbeknownst to me, that pretty flowering tree in my backyard is a lilac bush/tree. You can clip the blooms and bring them inside and they look great almost anywhere. Of course, I have to put them up high to keep them away from <strike>Godzilla</strike> Baby Bee. Maybe I can buy a proper vase with my birthday money. Ya think?</em> Nap Momhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06576022596416170858noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8916925864637414081.post-26862877374490970152012-04-16T08:15:00.000-07:002012-04-16T08:15:12.233-07:00How I Spent My Birthday WeekendWow! A mid-April birthday is not always that pleasant. <br />
<br />
In fact, here is the weather analysis for my location over the past 15 years.<br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">Temperature<br />
<br />
<br />
The temperature typically varies from 51°F to 64°F and is rarely below 43°F or above 77°F. <br />
<br />
The coolest hours of the day are from 2am to 9am with the coldest at 7am, at which time the temperature is below 56°F three days out of four. <br />
<br />
The warmest hours of the day are from 1pm to 7pm with the hottest at 4pm, at which time the temperature is above 56°F three days out of four. <br />
<br />
The day has gained half its heat by 11am and lost it again by 11pm. </blockquote>Source: weatherspark.com<br />
<br />
Emphasis on "<em>Rarely above 77 degrees</em>." To be honest, we had an ice emergency on my birthday one year. It was so cold and dark and dreary and it was sleeting. Awful! April showers really do bring May flowers... which is a bummer for those of us with April birthdays.<br />
<br />
This weekend, however, was gorgeous!!!!! Sing it with me now...<em> gorgeous</em>!<br />
<br />
Here are the highlights:<br />
<br />
Bri got her first haircut.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxBs42DLe_ft3B5xXeZy5Tn1kQge3xIbJ83_SHLpzNP78qa9CwLfxs76V4b7oMBrLkQM2II_lzjBcEd9m1ufNAJQOWgtsmsfqq1EWNc1EdVdy0f7wPe7EfPnzVMO1KBNSmrUexsJmOTIQ/s1600/weekend.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" nda="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxBs42DLe_ft3B5xXeZy5Tn1kQge3xIbJ83_SHLpzNP78qa9CwLfxs76V4b7oMBrLkQM2II_lzjBcEd9m1ufNAJQOWgtsmsfqq1EWNc1EdVdy0f7wPe7EfPnzVMO1KBNSmrUexsJmOTIQ/s320/weekend.jpg" width="179" /></a></div><br />
I wasn't so sure she would sit still... or sit at all (and she is standing in this picture) but she was begging to get back into her car by the time we were finished. Bribing with lollipops really helps. :-)<br />
<br />
Saturday morning we took Nugget home to be with her family. It was great to see all of the chicks together again and to share experiences with the other families. Nugget is not pictured in the picture below, but this is the environment where she will live out the rest of her life. Picturesque, isn't it? Seriously - I want to move to this farm.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAc94X1E7ibEkrSscY98zskdp1XRTcZ6m1WdT-Ah91ORgNvz8-EIK09YhakOp9JazwKJpVMo5EDlc4fIR2MgHmHwg-NhQbim4828U9B_sJN7-Pt6D2x552UPLT6WOO7n_Av9EljLCs-J8/s1600/weekend+5+nugget.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="223" nda="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAc94X1E7ibEkrSscY98zskdp1XRTcZ6m1WdT-Ah91ORgNvz8-EIK09YhakOp9JazwKJpVMo5EDlc4fIR2MgHmHwg-NhQbim4828U9B_sJN7-Pt6D2x552UPLT6WOO7n_Av9EljLCs-J8/s400/weekend+5+nugget.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />
No sooner did we pull out of the driveway but the kids were asking, "Mom can we got to Chick-fil-a and get some lunch?" Really? Who can even <em>think</em> about chicken at a time like this? <br />
<br />
Later, I napped while Dear Husband started working on my birthday present (<a href="http://www.littlefreelibrary.org/">a little free library</a>). Yay!<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-RGCsXI8Loe6zDOErhCrISxWG0Bm6a-_IAdHREvxIzQ8_LQCJ8JY6SmJOHEdyOClyj2EFlr92JbpmDk9OWnx34MczD9Iwi7TDwk0M6IS1otldiNCzRHhL2sBYemhlOhEFjgTVtQvIfXk/s1600/weekend+6.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="179" nda="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-RGCsXI8Loe6zDOErhCrISxWG0Bm6a-_IAdHREvxIzQ8_LQCJ8JY6SmJOHEdyOClyj2EFlr92JbpmDk9OWnx34MczD9Iwi7TDwk0M6IS1otldiNCzRHhL2sBYemhlOhEFjgTVtQvIfXk/s320/weekend+6.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
Saturday night Lulu and I went to see the Hunger Games movie. AMAZING? Yes. The movie really captured the spirit of the book. After reading the book book a second time, I started to get worried about how some parts would come across on screen. Mainly, her feelings about some of the most important relationships in her life are in her head. Thus, unless she is constantly thinking out loud, how would you know how she really feels about Gale, Peeta, and Rhue. The film did a great job of covering these areas. Really - I couldn't have asked for anything more and it <strong>was</strong> worth the wait. <br />
<br />
Sunday, it was my turn in the volunteer rotation to volunteer in a Sunday School classroom. To volunteer, you show up on your assigned date and time and see where they need help. Often, they need help in the infant room. I've had more than enough experience holding babies over the past few years. The infant room is my least favorite place to volunteer. The ratio is one volunteer for every 2-3 babies. Ever wonder what it's like to parent twins or triplets? Not fun. Luckily, I was assigned a space in the 2nd-3rd grade room. Oh hello!!!! Hold me back! I loved these kids. I loved their ideas, the activities, the program in general. I can totally see myself volunteering in this position - totally. <br />
<br />
However, I have one hesitation about teaching Sunday School. Timing. The great thing about this church is that Sunday School happens at the same time as adult worship. So all of the kids go to Sunday School while I go to church. If I taught Sunday School, then I would either (1) miss worship so I could teach or (2) teach during one service and then attend worship during the second service, which means that my kids would also be in Sunday School during both services. For a variety of reasons, I am not open to staying at church for half of the day. I know that spending time at church is rewarding, but my family also has other needs and I don't know that spending that much time at church is the correct balance for us at this time. So, I need to give the Sunday School thing some more thought. <em>sigh.</em><br />
<br />
After church we had lunch at a local restaurant and Bro tried clams for the first time. He's been asking to eat clams for quite some time now. <br />
<br />
The great thing about clams is that they are a hand-on food experience which he really enjoyed.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCgG1aYJqXdNGSz9-uiY1ZvChHiZq9ntUtdxZkQmfvGHaTA-rMn1KFMhey0-4ASeYnmmlVGwIFHxrTIrcDZr-krRI7IqnlARFgRJ3crR3mFn-Ht1K8NND6bj_W3O4-tKwRjZwGWpTj_r4/s1600/weekend+3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="223" nda="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCgG1aYJqXdNGSz9-uiY1ZvChHiZq9ntUtdxZkQmfvGHaTA-rMn1KFMhey0-4ASeYnmmlVGwIFHxrTIrcDZr-krRI7IqnlARFgRJ3crR3mFn-Ht1K8NND6bj_W3O4-tKwRjZwGWpTj_r4/s400/weekend+3.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7tjJFy-j08_vmMSoT9CSmoV5syjRhKLWuKNho_PKcTwYY6GPutVNO6YnTU2q5V7m2bE3Dg_E2sFc5F86xd-f-7vEbXo33XRgNYgY7dl5yTtNGTVzxDFLThf8JKtEDykyH0A6ESAaJESw/s1600/weekend+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" nda="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7tjJFy-j08_vmMSoT9CSmoV5syjRhKLWuKNho_PKcTwYY6GPutVNO6YnTU2q5V7m2bE3Dg_E2sFc5F86xd-f-7vEbXo33XRgNYgY7dl5yTtNGTVzxDFLThf8JKtEDykyH0A6ESAaJESw/s400/weekend+2.jpg" width="223" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><em>And the great thing about having lunch at a crab house is that you can get as messy as you want to and no one cares. Just sayin'.</em></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Finally, as promised, I took Lulu to the Verizon store so she could pick out the new phone that she wants for her birthday. We couldn't pass up some down time at the local coffee shop. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjCc508vRCrVmWqhNqDuSZhyphenhyphenKod1oCmQUw8U3fUVcm3qlThWccwiDdMfX1GXkpic_ksY7JG_UFg67P3vP4CxnZ87ZGEMjmV02f_B8AGPiLg4c2Gr6r7LaRWwJs_aG48hUDxIvqNOJZdjI/s1600/weekend+4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" nda="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjCc508vRCrVmWqhNqDuSZhyphenhyphenKod1oCmQUw8U3fUVcm3qlThWccwiDdMfX1GXkpic_ksY7JG_UFg67P3vP4CxnZ87ZGEMjmV02f_B8AGPiLg4c2Gr6r7LaRWwJs_aG48hUDxIvqNOJZdjI/s400/weekend+4.jpg" width="223" /></a></div><br />
AH, it was the best of times!<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">What's the weather like on your birthday?</span></div>Nap Momhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06576022596416170858noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8916925864637414081.post-84961124320030845422012-04-10T13:24:00.000-07:002012-04-10T13:24:15.589-07:00Oh goodness...As promised, here is the update on the chicken situation.<br />
<br />
Unbeknownst to me, the farm got a visit from animal control the night before we were supposed to pick up our chickens. The farm sent a late-night email to families letting us know that the chick program was cancelled because State law dictates that they are not permitted to release any animals under 3 weeks old (despite the fact that he farm gets all of their chickens when they are under 3 weeks old) to anyone for any reason.<br />
<br />
They apologized to the families and offered 3-week-old chickens to families who are still interested.<br />
<br />
Dear Husband, Bro, Bri, and I arrived to the farm on a gorgeous Saturday morning.<br />
<br />
The staff was polite and gracious and humble and totally wonderful as they explained the situation to those of us who had not read their email.<br />
<br />
I was heart broken and not about to take home a half-grown chicken. Nope! Not happening!<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuCU56_b9cxHVFluPTeuDD6pIS8mw3TohIxy4efEDPCTMi82WGFLnT-fupsWxqL8hrqwMqI3wQ7ggMAPZ_nVNhmPDrzS45N06Qd5Ve0ekYvsNjlxRJWNiwhr_RrQrlcuuKNPNWSR6MCns/s1600/IMG_8585.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" nda="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuCU56_b9cxHVFluPTeuDD6pIS8mw3TohIxy4efEDPCTMi82WGFLnT-fupsWxqL8hrqwMqI3wQ7ggMAPZ_nVNhmPDrzS45N06Qd5Ve0ekYvsNjlxRJWNiwhr_RrQrlcuuKNPNWSR6MCns/s400/IMG_8585.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">We hung out for a little bit and checked out the farm.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEickE7IXSHOV6lXABGM59CP42BUuGTLIoJ5K4HF4Wpc5_WuDROWmBVDdjQhvH6iQhRn6h1il-h56KXAJSFu8JsMI3VImtfUgUoxYZaPwSSda9XEXZyaAW8_Lswnuaj0uTftEzfizwZSfEg/s1600/IMG_8588.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" nda="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEickE7IXSHOV6lXABGM59CP42BUuGTLIoJ5K4HF4Wpc5_WuDROWmBVDdjQhvH6iQhRn6h1il-h56KXAJSFu8JsMI3VImtfUgUoxYZaPwSSda9XEXZyaAW8_Lswnuaj0uTftEzfizwZSfEg/s400/IMG_8588.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: left;">I watched my son drool over the livestock on the other side of the fence. I think he could have stared over that fence for hours. I have no doubt that he is a future farmer. </div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlKzxQtGC-D45zhjhyphenhyphen6Wsit8zBgk0W8ycLzVzOUGXC5UUHglGktGAFN5cYExBDbzskq9MxYuIFACmG1gq_qaoQIZkX_W8WunD-wWJVxZwHPr-UXoCsje0jYDLqcPiTPXiJ20_koaj0R3M/s1600/IMG_8587.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" nda="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlKzxQtGC-D45zhjhyphenhyphen6Wsit8zBgk0W8ycLzVzOUGXC5UUHglGktGAFN5cYExBDbzskq9MxYuIFACmG1gq_qaoQIZkX_W8WunD-wWJVxZwHPr-UXoCsje0jYDLqcPiTPXiJ20_koaj0R3M/s400/IMG_8587.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: left;">Even baby Bee seemed to really enjoy the sights.</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibJWWFGD4mckxGm2i8yPqCVTl75E8APDgLNfju5_OtgS9Fg8IuIKosOGSi7Z64O4vpcYjEhyphenhyphenKpX8yyCi0PQw0eH_uNQVrKeITvodEe7AasGdla6fc5DtyGbEHlS1of6xI9EcMTn_OSU9s/s1600/IMG_8590.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" nda="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibJWWFGD4mckxGm2i8yPqCVTl75E8APDgLNfju5_OtgS9Fg8IuIKosOGSi7Z64O4vpcYjEhyphenhyphenKpX8yyCi0PQw0eH_uNQVrKeITvodEe7AasGdla6fc5DtyGbEHlS1of6xI9EcMTn_OSU9s/s400/IMG_8590.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: left;">The farmers brought out the baby chicks and I was shocked and amazed at how gentle baby Bee was with them... I mean totally shocked... as "gentle" is not in her vocabulary. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiH7LHLTMEDEafhiI-thiJF3EFn6jm7iTpnrdhlLVWNNfwzgKRct00YPOmTCesJdQu2qIkbh_Z4Lk3DGy8chq6vpetW_fhWuZXpJ35tr_t2hHPEHH2f5ZrI6C2sFw61Gutf3HruuREJBfA/s1600/IMG_8597.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" nda="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiH7LHLTMEDEafhiI-thiJF3EFn6jm7iTpnrdhlLVWNNfwzgKRct00YPOmTCesJdQu2qIkbh_Z4Lk3DGy8chq6vpetW_fhWuZXpJ35tr_t2hHPEHH2f5ZrI6C2sFw61Gutf3HruuREJBfA/s400/IMG_8597.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">When it came time to leave (without a chicken - wink, wink) I gave a cheerful, "Okay guys. Wasn't that fun? Let's go!" {{yippee}}</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">And, Brody replied, "But Mom, what about our chicken? We are supposed to babysit a chicken."</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">"No, no, no. They said that we can't take the baby chickens. We only get to take the big chickens. So, we aren't going to take on home with us. Okay buddy?"</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">"No - I want a chicken. I want to babysit her."</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">So, we took her home....</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvH2lkF5HoOJmPsYTmWLROIgvi4eJ-9TS-NBcRxejkV7UIBRTo6ROj5wp9GBpNgR6B20JkCHIBniOWpjXr0wFBgcP2mraHo20xso2tEzkDnqoV5bBt9jf6SCmhR0A77p74PAes7_z_YpY/s1600/IMG_8602.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" nda="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvH2lkF5HoOJmPsYTmWLROIgvi4eJ-9TS-NBcRxejkV7UIBRTo6ROj5wp9GBpNgR6B20JkCHIBniOWpjXr0wFBgcP2mraHo20xso2tEzkDnqoV5bBt9jf6SCmhR0A77p74PAes7_z_YpY/s400/IMG_8602.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">... we gave her a name... ahem... "Nugget"... and showed her how to play with the LeapPad.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWRe1vQGmHVvgMbpa6KhO55MKMnxtKIKHUVANyQMo6Y13kIjjIB3Obp43tqOc_SFndRmlwM_4WHmqcSukbWHvXQdwMha9V7SE4_OV71iHdBYAtpzv7Y69jw11qY8dHz3vD7hBJjP7i1WU/s1600/IMG_8622.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" nda="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWRe1vQGmHVvgMbpa6KhO55MKMnxtKIKHUVANyQMo6Y13kIjjIB3Obp43tqOc_SFndRmlwM_4WHmqcSukbWHvXQdwMha9V7SE4_OV71iHdBYAtpzv7Y69jw11qY8dHz3vD7hBJjP7i1WU/s320/IMG_8622.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="background-color: white;">We had to lift up the flaps on the box (to make the sides taller) because she was perched on the side of the box within minutes of her arrival.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">We also took her outside to play.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhf7EX_c_zjDTB40WoSB3cSciXPLyKBNxU1Q9MRAkndgtCH5FjlbL2DJvFPpSpic4B_OK1a28RaO1GRaLFWJny4xls-Mr2KdRvYmF2-C-C41Xzglfs9FHN3WPGgsS-Cu5OespaYr7SgPg/s1600/IMG_8652.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" nda="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhf7EX_c_zjDTB40WoSB3cSciXPLyKBNxU1Q9MRAkndgtCH5FjlbL2DJvFPpSpic4B_OK1a28RaO1GRaLFWJny4xls-Mr2KdRvYmF2-C-C41Xzglfs9FHN3WPGgsS-Cu5OespaYr7SgPg/s400/IMG_8652.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">The kids just love her. Even my teen wants to keep her.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Here is a great video from CNN on <a href="http://www.cnn.com/video/?hpt=hp_t3#/video/living/2012/04/08/nr-whitfield-urban-chicken.cnn">urban chicken farming</a>. Have you ever heard of a chicken diaper? You have now - watch the video. Oh my goodness.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Oh the things we do for our kids... Oh!</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div>Nap Momhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06576022596416170858noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8916925864637414081.post-17538128799707800022012-04-06T06:29:00.000-07:002012-04-06T06:29:18.216-07:00ChickensHave you noticed? I don't get much blogging done in February and March... for a variety of reasons:<br />
<br />
1. work is crazy busy and I put in extra hours;<br />
2. which means that my "home time" is jam packed with activities (cleaning, cooking, washing, and yes - playing with kids) and not filled with lots of blogging and taking pictures; and<br />
3. illnesses can wreak havoc on our already-packed schedule.<br />
<br />
Now that we are getting over our illnesses - at least one person in the house has been horribly ill for some part of the last few weeks - and work is slowing down, I am back on the blog train. <em>Hey y'all!!! </em><br />
<br />
At this very moment, I just finished reading the - ahem - care manual for the chicks that we are fostering.<br />
<br />
WHAT???<br />
<br />
Yup - a local farm (they call themselves "holistic" actually) is reaching out to the community and giving an educational experience to raise chicks for two weeks. The opportunity comes with a tour of the farm, supplies for the chicks, and then a dozen farm-raised eggs when we return the chicks in two weeks.<br />
<br />
My whole family is beyond excited. I am excited - my biggest concern is that I do not want them to die - <em>please do not die</em>!<br />
<br />
The care manual seems fairly straight forward. {{<em>Please do not</em> <em>die!</em>}}<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQ-b0BtykIyovK7XXm4tZbk5kQZ0t0PCqpW0Xfs10YtY3GZR-EMPYShOiwKYXVxisQvmXEskfZERQXUo0KmdA5ID0XevhWIobTVLhIzu5cFM_IzWFtALrglnjnuUnz7YAL6KNOVKWq-7I/s1600/chicks.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" nda="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQ-b0BtykIyovK7XXm4tZbk5kQZ0t0PCqpW0Xfs10YtY3GZR-EMPYShOiwKYXVxisQvmXEskfZERQXUo0KmdA5ID0XevhWIobTVLhIzu5cFM_IzWFtALrglnjnuUnz7YAL6KNOVKWq-7I/s400/chicks.jpg" width="338" /></a></div> <br />
This chick project creates another problem for me though. It's a kindness-to-animals dilemma actually.<br />
<br />
Last year {{<em>was it last year - maybe it was two years ago</em>}} I read <a href="http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/6114536-the-omnivore-s-dilemma-for-kids">The Omnivore's Dilemma</a> which is a book about what we eat, where it comes from, and the treatment of farm animals. I didn't really change that much about what we eat. However, we are trying to eat one vegetarian meal a week and this past week we were meatless for 4 days in a row. More and more, meat is starting to seem a bit icky to me. I am fine with eating meat, but I am not so fine with inhumane animal living conditions.<br />
<br />
Regarding egg-laying chicks... they are some of the must abused animals in the meat-production world. Really people. You can google it for yourselves and I am not passing judgement on anyone who eats eggs... but I feel so bad for the mother hens... sooo bad.<br />
<br />
So, I am researching ways to get my hands on some eggs with humanely treated mother hens. I urge you to do your own research – google "humane egg brands" – but basically the bottom line is you need to check your labels and this is what you need to know: <br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">If you want to take a step back to the pure, bucolic life an egg evokes, the<a href="http://www.wspa-usa.org/" target="_hplink"> World Society for Protection of Animals (WSPA)</a> asks you to make a modest new year's resolution -- switch from commercially raised eggs to buying those labeled "Certified Humane," "American Humane Certified," or "Animal Welfare Approved." This means your eggs came from chickens raised with care, not confined to battery cages and stuffed with weird growth hormones or antibiotics. And these three designations are verified and monitored by animal rights organizations. In other words, they have some oomph behind them, unlike popular claims like "cage-free," which does not. See <a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/ellen-kanner/meatless-monday-cracking_b_416144.html">Ellen Canner - Meatless Monday, Cracking the Egg Label Code</a></blockquote>Thus, I think that I am fairly certain that all of our eggs that we eat at home will be labeled "Certified Humane," "American Humane Certified," or "Animal Welfare Approved." And, I'm not quite sure if I can find these in my regular grocery store, so I might need to go to Whole Foods. And, I am fairly certain that I am going to have a small heart attack when I see the cost of these eggs.... but I'll have to get over that.<br />
<br />
Again, I am not passing judgement on how you get your eggs... I just know that these two little bundles of sweetness are coming to stay with us... will be in our care... and I owe it to them and their relatives to do the best I can to only support the best care they can get.<br />
<br />
While we wait for out Easter chicks to arrive, lets look for some signs of Easter around the house.<br />
<br />
<br />
Look - the baskets are waiting to be filled....<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzFv2ded23v4GGOiyUHlbe0VVXbbGEKxNl-v9K9jzTuT7_AsfvR4_Vn6TsvQwfe2VZg-4RRX9q6zh_4ODF7SEQk24qqQb5eTA6jKdUbIDaAvniQ6VujlCqJhOFRbjS4Bh61ZoJl-NhUyo/s1600/Easter+2012.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="223" nda="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzFv2ded23v4GGOiyUHlbe0VVXbbGEKxNl-v9K9jzTuT7_AsfvR4_Vn6TsvQwfe2VZg-4RRX9q6zh_4ODF7SEQk24qqQb5eTA6jKdUbIDaAvniQ6VujlCqJhOFRbjS4Bh61ZoJl-NhUyo/s400/Easter+2012.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">... and plastic eggs are everywhere!</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0NdOtEfdM73bP8nZhQS1wztzWeK11LKM-u3aZrrIebv_qC9NGgwFFl-FiywysWAPG0w_EJH9z4xjVJCu9lSisZUxXu6ItGTrj2lWMQqsXc6pbXtrOccaSbdSX9NVPG2aH_AouUX5x6Yo/s1600/Easter+2012+b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="223" nda="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0NdOtEfdM73bP8nZhQS1wztzWeK11LKM-u3aZrrIebv_qC9NGgwFFl-FiywysWAPG0w_EJH9z4xjVJCu9lSisZUxXu6ItGTrj2lWMQqsXc6pbXtrOccaSbdSX9NVPG2aH_AouUX5x6Yo/s400/Easter+2012+b.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />
By the way, we are dyeing real eggs this year but we are all about these <a href="https://www.eggnots.com/Default.asp">egg nots</a> ceramic eggs next year. Cool, huh?<br />
<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><span style="background-color: #d8d8d8;"></span><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; text-align: center;"><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Are there signs of Easter around your house?</span></div>Nap Momhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06576022596416170858noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8916925864637414081.post-88328541143831490162012-02-16T10:28:00.000-08:002012-02-16T10:28:00.589-08:00LightsYesterday you heard all about my kids' Valentine's Day.<br />
<br />
Now you want the husband update - right?<br />
<br />
This is a great story!<br />
<br />
First, let's establish the fact that he and I give each other gifts for <strike>our birthdays</strike>, <strike>Christmas</strike>, Mother's Day, Father's Day, <strike>Valentine's Day</strike>, and <strike>our anniversary</strike>. To be honest, I am trying to remember if he gave me a Mother's Day gift or if I gave him something for Father's Day. <br />
<br />
This is a mutual agreement of <strong><em>not</em></strong> exchanging gifts.<br />
<br />
However, I always have a card for him and he usually has a card for me. I always have a card for him because one time {{<em>and only one time</em>}} he had a card for me and I did not have one for him. I felt horrible. In the future, I will ALWAYS have a card for him. For the record, I don't mind if he doesn't have a card for me. Why? Because his presence is my present. I don't want him to buy me anything... I want him to be present with me... and with the kids... creating the types of memories that last a lifetime. I'm NOT kidding folks. <br />
<br />
In fact, I think that I am going to tell him... "From now on... your presence is your present. Mkay?"<br />
<br />
Well, this past Valentine's Day I got him a card. And he didn't get me anything... but I was all like... "honey, where's my gift? hahahahaha." And, he got the biggest grin on his face... like he was hiding the best gift ever... and he said... "Well, I was going to bring home these Christmas lights I found today. They are in the house {{that he is rehabbing}} and... THEY ALL WORK!"<br />
<br />
He was so excited and he went so far as to run to the computer and pull up this picture of the basement in the aforementioned house.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi46hFQvzOhU3Yjd_PVnUSo3EdSwHsezt2cBFmNYa97pUkcK2rM9gSbxezh5bB3pmG69qvHZL4tjLrb8NRzX93GyaS-YW647qLNpBuMG7cQNzkAFNrh1o9br_tWCATmiaRm0D0h9QpQlxM/s1600/light.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi46hFQvzOhU3Yjd_PVnUSo3EdSwHsezt2cBFmNYa97pUkcK2rM9gSbxezh5bB3pmG69qvHZL4tjLrb8NRzX93GyaS-YW647qLNpBuMG7cQNzkAFNrh1o9br_tWCATmiaRm0D0h9QpQlxM/s400/light.jpg" width="400" yda="true" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">It was like he found a real treasure. He was so proud of himself. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">"They all work honey. They all work!"</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">To be honest, we spent the evening opening Valentines with the little ones and he even volunteered to pick up Lulu from cheer practice for me. Really - what more could I want???? Nothing more.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">What is the craziest Valentine gift you ever received? </span></div>Nap Momhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06576022596416170858noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8916925864637414081.post-42648762750132128842012-02-15T09:01:00.000-08:002012-02-15T11:48:52.257-08:00Valentine RecapEven though I am in the height of busy at work... we still celebrated the latest holiday.<br />
<br />
I started off with a trip to the movies with my teen to see The Vow (a new romantic comedy). I can see that going to the movies with her is going to be one of our mother-daughter things since none of the men in our lives care to see the movies we like. Yes, I know that she will ditch me for some young and handsome Mr. Wonderful someday, but for now, I really enjoy her company!<br />
<br />
I also thoroughly enjoyed her help with addressing Valentines for the little ones' classmates.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhV5VSHv1DV-f8JrDmczKrcPfLmOYCfxFkS8Vo64lQsQUACo6JexXN43gpdv4AeHUO_RVy2Zmr9IKNnYMEvgam74gjGDAEKSTRL6W0PuQCD2PZ83MdnzCVc_M211gu1r-TzyFoVflYcT48/s1600/IMG_8418.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhV5VSHv1DV-f8JrDmczKrcPfLmOYCfxFkS8Vo64lQsQUACo6JexXN43gpdv4AeHUO_RVy2Zmr9IKNnYMEvgam74gjGDAEKSTRL6W0PuQCD2PZ83MdnzCVc_M211gu1r-TzyFoVflYcT48/s320/IMG_8418.JPG" width="320" yda="true" /></a></div><br />
Oh... yes... that is yet another terrarium in the background.<br />
<br />
We made some cookies with a certain Fairy Grandmother. That is, she made the cookies and set out all of the icing and decorations and we <strike>decorated the cookies</strike> covered her kitchen with icing and sprinkles and then went home. <br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6vw0XmWv2U62JKvb3Yns5YknjlegXA-GLsmWidUQHTDMtcd0BShuvQ2lXW9IzVj7KPt9UVAUs7aaL7o3x-kqOxWTL1VaR8JijFUdGSh1RvmG7K9kKyvf-wkCJFQSm411EMYHpW4zJKCo/s1600/IMG_8430.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6vw0XmWv2U62JKvb3Yns5YknjlegXA-GLsmWidUQHTDMtcd0BShuvQ2lXW9IzVj7KPt9UVAUs7aaL7o3x-kqOxWTL1VaR8JijFUdGSh1RvmG7K9kKyvf-wkCJFQSm411EMYHpW4zJKCo/s320/IMG_8430.JPG" width="320" yda="true" /></a></div><br />
While Lulu went to cheer practice on Valentine's Day, the kids and I opened all of their Valentines.<br />
<br />
Here are their respective loads of candy and Valentines: Bri on the left and Bro on the right. <br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrEP2ev_ZEEfsQT8gBnkCckoR6Y64dP5S8Dop_qXE2QB1dri4ZCsZoJyRSQKImYTgqx86EqF9ojk6uE69iTg2OVsoNpBrSUWY4dk7zLNXIbs9YKnaKwg7vZAczkcmrMBmG4ByTbN9zKlo/s1600/IMG_8436.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrEP2ev_ZEEfsQT8gBnkCckoR6Y64dP5S8Dop_qXE2QB1dri4ZCsZoJyRSQKImYTgqx86EqF9ojk6uE69iTg2OVsoNpBrSUWY4dk7zLNXIbs9YKnaKwg7vZAczkcmrMBmG4ByTbN9zKlo/s320/IMG_8436.JPG" width="320" yda="true" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Bro's teacher addressed his Valentine, "To Iron Man." Really? How sweet! {{<em>He almost always insists that we call him Iron Man</em>.}}</div><div align="left" class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgk6Z-CvQOmKFA5WLK_KCckGFd9jXPS-kZmPsCBSVligk2fRff7HcS68QiF7K1_tNn9iNQIWW7tCZMeWxmQwRn_m3w4GIybN2Au5gYwpWvlwcH0-WX1irheDCAH6vYgHSM7C_wHPmqRGv8/s1600/IMG_8445.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgk6Z-CvQOmKFA5WLK_KCckGFd9jXPS-kZmPsCBSVligk2fRff7HcS68QiF7K1_tNn9iNQIWW7tCZMeWxmQwRn_m3w4GIybN2Au5gYwpWvlwcH0-WX1irheDCAH6vYgHSM7C_wHPmqRGv8/s320/IMG_8445.JPG" width="320" yda="true" /></a></div><div align="left" class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div>Bri... such a stinker... would NOT... as usual... smile for the camera. She deliberately does NOT smile for the camera. She is such a stink pot. <br />
<br />
She showed me her messy hands though. {{Oh wow Bri - you are ALL HEART - NOT.}}<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJI6pQoPFK5zs_3mePqtLcFfW40ZQ353q9QcHGwhG9E9XskrkPI_q3bxd6eMa1leeuVc9hJ1JQ2b9BHbNu0oaKIB1NPBaVuYBioEeDZa0KxHE7rHNqdOJt9kYeZ8KXF0tT9g-UrWOGTOU/s1600/IMG_8443.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJI6pQoPFK5zs_3mePqtLcFfW40ZQ353q9QcHGwhG9E9XskrkPI_q3bxd6eMa1leeuVc9hJ1JQ2b9BHbNu0oaKIB1NPBaVuYBioEeDZa0KxHE7rHNqdOJt9kYeZ8KXF0tT9g-UrWOGTOU/s320/IMG_8443.JPG" width="320" yda="true" /></a></div><br />
However... when I pulled my face away from the camera... {{<em>No - I am definitely NOT trying to take your picture</em>.}} I caught some of this...<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvjBHCzxIY291fK9UfLiwgldEnia-ael2o86mH254wWnR_mZdR-9F5w-kCE8E35cMLeIcXV-aTS_Z5XbgK5VtUIefJmJTXYr_HmNKsxax6yOrQlBPBwqyGrt8_m97Op-6w8Zfs4kYzSLg/s1600/IMG_8446.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvjBHCzxIY291fK9UfLiwgldEnia-ael2o86mH254wWnR_mZdR-9F5w-kCE8E35cMLeIcXV-aTS_Z5XbgK5VtUIefJmJTXYr_HmNKsxax6yOrQlBPBwqyGrt8_m97Op-6w8Zfs4kYzSLg/s400/IMG_8446.JPG" width="266" yda="true" /></a></div><br />
... and this...<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeT7jqAmyDcBR8HcB9QHktVo_4UAG8_taiWEEClBXPQUbyXQKPZVcLAEWHku1n64h7kLiB2xtOablrqw8KuqnNU5pw82eHzngXM85ncj3dIpyN7Bp8M-kP3tOiUOKEAwxy7dG_dMz2R1Q/s1600/IMG_8447.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeT7jqAmyDcBR8HcB9QHktVo_4UAG8_taiWEEClBXPQUbyXQKPZVcLAEWHku1n64h7kLiB2xtOablrqw8KuqnNU5pw82eHzngXM85ncj3dIpyN7Bp8M-kP3tOiUOKEAwxy7dG_dMz2R1Q/s320/IMG_8447.JPG" width="213" yda="true" /></a></div><br />
... and this!<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiU6xO34FMdBWBGqJ8QJZl2M_HtJ8FjILDdcO4niONkKX4sYtsn_6gzVZKqyaiNlJxr4mioImChIQEkMH5isEbJw84c_d9LP1MYLM7yOwOqmEhWZMQxtm2eTlZFiiXEemo58jslMIIRgek/s1600/IMG_8448.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiU6xO34FMdBWBGqJ8QJZl2M_HtJ8FjILDdcO4niONkKX4sYtsn_6gzVZKqyaiNlJxr4mioImChIQEkMH5isEbJw84c_d9LP1MYLM7yOwOqmEhWZMQxtm2eTlZFiiXEemo58jslMIIRgek/s400/IMG_8448.JPG" width="266" yda="true" /></a></div><br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">We'll talk more about Valentines tomorrow.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Mkay?</span></div>Nap Momhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06576022596416170858noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8916925864637414081.post-24199504973036498282012-02-09T23:07:00.000-08:002012-02-15T10:27:42.256-08:00That's AmoreGee - where to begin?<br />
<br />
Have you heard about the 5 Languages of Love?<br />
<br />
You can <a href="http://www.5lovelanguages.com/learn-the-languages/the-five-love-languages/">read all about the languages here</a>, but the general premise is:<br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">"Of the countless ways we can show love to one another, five key categories, or five love languages, proved to be universal and comprehensive—everyone has a love language, and we all identify primarily with one of the five love languages: Words of Affirmation, Quality Time, Receiving Gifts, Acts of Service, and Physical Touch."</blockquote>It is no secret, to those of you who know me well, that the love language I most identify with is "Acts of Service." It might be the least romantic of the group, but is the one that works best for me... that is, it is the one I most like to receive.<br />
<br />
For example, I remember a time when Dear Husband and I were dating... he worked 90 minutes from my house. One day I was feeling particularly overwhelmed at work and was not looking forward to adding a trip to the grocery store to my already-too-long day. After reviewing the types of items I needed (peanut butter, bread, and stuff) with pre-Dear Husband we got off of the phone. When I arrived home that evening, a grocery bag of my exact grocery items was waiting for me at my door step. He left work, drove all the way to my town, bought the groceries, and left them on my door step. {{<em>Ladies - back up - this man is ALL mine.</em>}} <em> </em><br />
<br />
Fast forward past the wedding and, now, three kids... and onto a recent Valentine's Day. We were both talking on the phone on the way home and the conversation went something like this.<br />
<br />
<span style="color: #073763; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">{{me - rushing to get the kids home and get dinner started}} So, where are you now?</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
<span style="color: #073763;"></span></span><br />
<span style="color: #073763; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I'm turning into the Target parking lot?</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
<span style="color: #073763;"></span></span><br />
<span style="color: #073763; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">What are you getting at Target? {{<em>Thinking... are you kidding me - we have so much to get done at home and you will miss dinner</em>.}}</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
<span style="color: #073763;"></span></span><br />
<span style="color: #073763; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Something special. I meant to leave work early but I got tied up. I want to get you a card and your favorite conversation heart candies.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
<span style="color: #073763;"></span></span><br />
<span style="color: #073763; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Nope. Forget the card and the candies. Come home.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
<span style="color: #073763;"></span></span><br />
<span style="color: #073763; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">But you will be mad.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
<span style="color: #073763;"></span></span><br />
<span style="color: #073763; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">No I will not be mad.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
<span style="color: #073763;"></span></span><br />
<span style="color: #073763; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Yes, you will. I want to get something special for you.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
<span style="color: #073763;"></span></span><br />
<span style="color: #073763; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Seriously - if you turn that car around right now and meet me at the house then I will be happy. I promise. No card. No candy. PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE just come home. {{<em>And he did... and I was totally happy</em>.}}</span><br />
<br />
<br />
Today, I took the <a href="http://www.5lovelanguages.com/assessments/love/">love language quiz online</a>, to see what it says.<br />
<br />
Here is how I answered some key questions:<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6YoI3dFyeHzSi6W4XFNMvILDI9j-0rByndG7KZHcGYt9RDowlE7dJ4c8qA-5bnsxwUDZK14WCv_BTMyfnMHhNB6ThKpok-1MmGrOZ1m4YmzGbuCU77N76Yf5tJsG4PozIZREDf7UWTnU/s1600/love+language+quiz+1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" sda="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6YoI3dFyeHzSi6W4XFNMvILDI9j-0rByndG7KZHcGYt9RDowlE7dJ4c8qA-5bnsxwUDZK14WCv_BTMyfnMHhNB6ThKpok-1MmGrOZ1m4YmzGbuCU77N76Yf5tJsG4PozIZREDf7UWTnU/s640/love+language+quiz+1.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhl7wURZZyXaDXupwPL74lBMFXD1Vb3c6HCDEwK0_kSU7RKAKsQSBexKyJOcKFdnGIYRr5w1ipy_iDkeB18laP3jFpmiAqhbBpMo1oMwKbqlWAOczr8pBXGyzLrshiv_kP5KvKypL_FziU/s1600/love+language+quiz+2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="140" sda="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhl7wURZZyXaDXupwPL74lBMFXD1Vb3c6HCDEwK0_kSU7RKAKsQSBexKyJOcKFdnGIYRr5w1ipy_iDkeB18laP3jFpmiAqhbBpMo1oMwKbqlWAOczr8pBXGyzLrshiv_kP5KvKypL_FziU/s640/love+language+quiz+2.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXpEyXUotNSgMc6OeefplCRiK2-vhTH_jx5Rggsr2Kf5NhgFBkMRR4C-Efq4yWAU7z122LyUZEa5PTpQKnXR-mPze1omWkxLHX2FRUKU1GxnkU2p5QVYJaLf9F8WPd71TIxBgRJ1EAit4/s1600/love+language+3.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="116" sda="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXpEyXUotNSgMc6OeefplCRiK2-vhTH_jx5Rggsr2Kf5NhgFBkMRR4C-Efq4yWAU7z122LyUZEa5PTpQKnXR-mPze1omWkxLHX2FRUKU1GxnkU2p5QVYJaLf9F8WPd71TIxBgRJ1EAit4/s640/love+language+3.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyj9mlPciX5q4femfwnaWRMWS5OeOjukboSAMjO1Q-vDjlo51EHsoY-MXOnypbgzwEcUyUizA1dAb0WpBshHgL5BPRsmfg9hxYvL_1ccXiSpX89zC3arJnVDqUnW623SuHJX4ECa26-UI/s1600/love+language+quiz+4.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="129" sda="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyj9mlPciX5q4femfwnaWRMWS5OeOjukboSAMjO1Q-vDjlo51EHsoY-MXOnypbgzwEcUyUizA1dAb0WpBshHgL5BPRsmfg9hxYvL_1ccXiSpX89zC3arJnVDqUnW623SuHJX4ECa26-UI/s640/love+language+quiz+4.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br />
Hahaha... so the last one isn't really "service" related, but I'm fairly argumentative and it totally fits me.<br />
<br />
Want to know my final score?<br />
<br />
In short, I scored twice as high for "Acts of Service" than any other category in the list. Also, "receiving gifts" is my least favorite way to be loved. {{<em>This is great because we don't have any money anyway</em>.}}<br />
<br />
What does Dr. Chapman have to say about Acts of Service?<br />
<h5><blockquote class="tr_bq"><h5><span style="font-size: small;">Acts of Service</span></h5><span style="font-size: small;">Can vacuuming the floors really be an expression of love? Absolutely! Anything you do to ease the burden of responsibilities weighing on an “Acts of Service” person will speak volumes. The words he or she most want to hear: “Let me do that for you.” Laziness, broken commitments, and making more work for them tell speakers of this language their feelings don’t matter.</span></blockquote></h5>Let's repeat that again... ahem... "Anything you do to ease the burden of responsibilities weighing on an 'Acts of Service' person will speak volumes."<br />
<br />
This is great for my husband and me because he is a natural-born helper. Really - he would be a helper no matter who he married - it just so happens that he married moi and I totally give him big points for all of his helpfulness! Yay! <br />
<br />
This might also explain why I flew off the handle when he didn't come home in time for me to go to a parent meeting at my kids' school the other night. {{<em>I do mean <u>flew off the handle</u></em>.}} His "broken commitment" to come home on time and help with the kids made me feel like I don't matter. Bingo! {{<em>For gosh sakes... I can't expect the man to be perfect... can I?</em>}}<br />
<br />
Seriously - I read the <em>5 Love Languages for Married Couples,</em> and now I'm on the <em>5 Love Languages for Teens</em> which was recommended by my moms group. I'll talk more about loving my teen on another day.<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">So... this is your homework. </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">{{<em>Yep... I'm giving out homework now</em>.}} </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Take the </span><a href="http://www.5lovelanguages.com/assessments/love/"><span style="font-size: large;">5 love languages assessment</span></a><span style="font-size: large;"> and </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">come back and tell me which one fits you.</span></div>Nap Momhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06576022596416170858noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8916925864637414081.post-24144415039900347282012-01-25T19:17:00.000-08:002012-02-04T19:10:00.912-08:00Joy Moments: A mom reflects on birthdays past and present<span style="background-color: white;">Once upon a time, a long time ago, I only had one kid {{<em>okay, okay... it wasn't that long ago, I know</em>}}. </span><br />
<span style="background-color: white;"><br />
</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white;">I started the tradition of making her birthday cake. Every year she asked for another special cake from Mommy. {{<em>Well, except for this year she designed her own cake and a professional made it for her. I was ditched. I know.</em>}}</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white;"><br />
</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white;">Then Mommy got a job... a husband... a house to take care of... and two more kids. </span><br />
<span style="background-color: white;"><br />
</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white;">Mommy realized that all of this is a bit overwhelming... and Mommy decided to "say No" to homemade and time-consuming birthday cakes. {{<em>Silly tradition.</em>}}</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white;"><br />
</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white;">Making the type of homemade cakes that I make {{<em>with my little skill</em>}} requires baking the cake two nights before the party and then dedicating an entire evening to decorating the cake on the night before the party.</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white;"><br />
</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white;">Making the birthday cake has turned into a joy buster... a total project... that I do NOT have time for... until NOW!</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white;"><br />
</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white;">This year, for the first time ever, making the cake was not about doing something crafty or fulfilling an obligation... it was a labor of love. {{<em>Thank you Moms Club for this insight</em>.}} As I piped every little dot and squiggle {{<em>squiggle =</em> <em>technical term... hahahaha</em>}}, I thought about loving him and all of the little things he does that make me laugh and smile. It was like four years of DVD replays were turning through my head... the whole time.</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white;"><br />
</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white;">Wow! I didn't know <strong><em>that</em></strong> was going to happen!</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white;"><br />
</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWtEpY57bP5Dz9eslELd1_uNNtkzuoT4pH3gP4wnSMTnovBnO4m40pCQ97MMN6qovjalbf_RLvi02x4lOl0rl3wahQDpvKZFEQiKeaP903XzjPdptw12-AX4Mx9a88V68VMb4AO-VINdc/s1600/home+depot+cake.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="background-color: white; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" gda="true" height="223" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWtEpY57bP5Dz9eslELd1_uNNtkzuoT4pH3gP4wnSMTnovBnO4m40pCQ97MMN6qovjalbf_RLvi02x4lOl0rl3wahQDpvKZFEQiKeaP903XzjPdptw12-AX4Mx9a88V68VMb4AO-VINdc/s400/home+depot+cake.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><span style="background-color: white;"> </span><br />
<span style="background-color: white;">So, my <em>project</em> turned into a<em> therapy session</em>. hahahaha!</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white;"><br />
</span><br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: white; font-size: large;">What moment of joy surprised you this week?</span></div>Nap Momhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06576022596416170858noreply@blogger.com4